Frank Brainerd Mcguire

Frank Brainerd McGuire, age 93, beloved son, brother and uncle, passed away November 12th at his home in Easton after a courageous four and a half year battle from the affects of a stroke suffered in April 2018.  Brainerd was the son of Frank E. McGuire and Marjorie A. Latimer and was a resident of Easton, which he loved, since 1936.  When his parents purchased the second new home built on Sport Hill Parkway, their property abutted Mill River where he enjoyed many carefree happy days swimming, fishing, skating and exploring.  He graduated from Samuel Staples School where he played the trumpet in the band; the Solebury School in New Hope, PA.  While studying at the University Of Bridgeport School Of Engineering he decided to learn to fly and earned his private pilot’s license.  Flying became the love of his life! While the Korean War was raging, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.  Brainerd was always very patriotic and admired the military.  When he was transferred to Hamilton Air Force base in California, he applied and was accepted into the Fighter Pilot Training program however, as chance would have it, when he was about to graduate the War ended.  After much consideration he decided to resign and received an Honorable discharge.  He had decided to return to Connecticut and join his father in business at Frank McGuire & Son in Bridgeport which sold a variety of office business machines.   He continued his love of flying and earned both a Commercial Pilot’s License as well as an Instrument Flying License.  A highlight of his flying career was to fly across the U.S. in an open cockpit, World War II plane which had been rebuilt by an Air Force buddy.  In addition to flying, he enjoyed sailing. As a teen he sailed his “National” from the Black Rock Yacht Club and spent many happy days on Long Island Sound. Brainerd was of old Yankee stock through his mother.  He was a member of several societies; the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, the Elder Brewster (who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620) Society, the Dennison and Goodenow Societies and the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was for many years an active member of the Easton Volunteer Fire Company and a 50 year member of American Legion, Charles L. Ruman Post 160 in Easton.  In addition to his parents he was predeceased by an infant sister, Natalie and a grand niece Grace.  He is survived by two sisters, Sheila Walsh (Robert) of Melbourne, FL and Virginia McGuire of Easton; four nieces and nephews; Ginny, Sheila, Peter and John; seven grand nieces and nephews; Shanah, Michelle, Christopher, Eric, Megan, Whitaker and Danar.  A private service was held Friday , November 19th at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home with Deacon Dr. Gerald Sabol of Notre Dame of Easton Church officiating.  Interment with military honors was held at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield.  For four and a half years Brainerd was cared for 24/7 by an exceptional aide, Georgia Brooks of H & H Home Care, for whom our family will be forever grateful.