Richard Thomas Branca

January 5, 1944 - July 23, 2020

Richard Thomas Branca, 76, of Mount Dora, Florida, passed away on July 23, 2020. He was born in New York, New York and moved here permanently from Trumansburg, New York in 2013. Prior to that, he came here for several months each year beginning in 2002. Richard was an electrical engineer, held an MBA, and was the former owner of Gallagher & Shean, Inc. Electrical Design and Construction of Ithaca, New York. He was a dedicated and accomplished practitioner of Theravada Buddhism. Richard worked abroad in Papua, New Guinea and Africa as an international partner and team leader with Habitat for Humanity, in Nicaragua with Educate the Children, as a Hospice volunteer and a supporter of many other worthy organizations. He loved hiking and camping in the wilderness, became an avid bike-rider and ran in over a dozen marathons. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Dr. Veronika Siebenkotten-Branca; his sons, Matthew N. Branca (Marlene) of Longmont, Colorado and Daniel N. Branca (Wilda) of Seattle, Washington; his brother Russell Branca of Ozone Park, New York; his former wife, Laura Ward Branca, and his grandchildren: Corrado Branca, Ellis Branca, Angelo Branca, Juliano Branca, Nicholas Branca and Natasha Branca. Richard's family expresses our gratitude for the kindness and sensitivity shown to us by Hamlin & Hilbish, especially Mr. Arthur Hilbish.