Braceland Brothers' George Braceland Passed Away
DREXEL HILL, PA—June 10, 2010—George Hammen Braceland, former president of Braceland Brothers, Inc., a family-owned printing company in Philadelphia, has passed away. The printing company was founded in 1899 by his father and uncle.
In 2003, Mr. Braceland was selected as the “Neographics Person of the Year” in honor of his many years of service and innovation in the graphic arts industry.
He was an accomplished masters decathlete, competing in events all over the world. In 1973, at age 60, George was one of the “Faces in the Crowd” in Sports Illustrated. Mr. Braceland kept competing into his 90s and, in 2002, the USA Masters Track & Field elected him to the Masters Hall of Fame. He rowed with Fairmount and Malta Boat Clubs and in 2004 set the world’s record in the Indoor Rowing (ERG) heavyweight for age 90-95, a record he held for 3 consecutive years.
Mr. Braceland received his black belt in karate at age 65, competed in ballroom dancing at the Ohio State Ball, and was a skilled gardener, often winning first place prizes for his entries at the Philadelphia Flower Show.
Evelyn, his beloved wife, died in 1984. Mr. Braceland is greatly missed by his brother Bill and by his daughters Pamela Kaplan of Wellesley, MA, Diane Vreugdenhil of Havertown, his son John of West Chester; eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend George’s life celebration on Monday evening from 6-8pm and Tuesday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Spencer T. Videon of Drexel Hill Garrett Road at Shadeland Ave., followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Bernadette Church, 1053 Turner Ave., Drexel Hill, PA. Interment Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Bernadette Church.