Donald Paul Bramkamp

Much to our sorrow but as God willed, Donald Paul Bramkamp passed away after a brief stay at Jewish Hospital March 9, 2018 at the age of 82.  He is the beloved son of the late Albert and Virginia and beloved brother of David, and sisters Mary Lee, Jane Ianieri and Sally Abbott and the late Kenneth, Thomas and James Bramkamp.  Donald also has many nieces and nephews, including Greg who was a faithful companion and helper to him in the last few years.  Donald was a master poet and years ago wrote this Eulogy for himself in his book of poems entitled, "In Parting".

IN PARTING

 Please do not think of me when I am dead,

for it would hurt me if you grieved, and yet,

there is this that has been a part of me,

that I so hope you will not quite forget.

Remember how I loved the varied hues

each season wore, and how my heart would thrill

to see a seagull curved against the sky,

or shadows sketch twilight upon a hill.

For there was that within me that found peace

in tawny fields and blossomings of earth,

I never saw a tree I did not love,

no animal I deemed devoid of worth.

I loved each flower, each flake of falling snow,

each star that magnetized my earthbound gaze,

the spicy air of autumn, spring’s green gauze,

the drowsy warmth of languid summer days.

There was nothing in Nature I thought false,

nothing unworthy, nothing spoiled or crass,

I often felt as if God’s very touch

had venerated each separate blade of grass.

It was an ecstasy for me to breathe,

to see, to feel, to have my heart respond

to each nuance of beauty, so I ask

when you might stand somewhere I’ve gone beyond.

Forget my strengths, my weaknesses as well,

the straight of me, the part that was so lame,

the attributes you thought were settled on

the length of flesh and bone that wore my name.

And if a thought of me should find its way

into your mind, release it, set it free,

but, please revere those things a little more

that I so loved, in memory of me.

Our family deeply appreciates your prayers asking for God's mercy upon his dear soul. (The family is having a private service at St. Mary Cemetery in St. Bernard where he will be buried.)