UPDATE - Issue 23 - Autumn 2005
Donald du Parc Braham - Obituary
Donald du Parc Braham, Hon Treasurer of Prostate Research Campaign UK from its inception in 1994 until the autumn of 2004 and thereafter, one of our Vice-Presidents until his death in August 2005, will be sorely missed. He had become increasingly hard of hearing in recent years but few realised how ill he really was.
Sadly, as his life ebbed away in Hampstead's Marie Curie Hospice, he was racked with cancer and knew little or nothing of people or things around him. Sad - because he had lived a life of service to others and had been unstinting in his support of charities and good works.
He was born at the end of June 1928 and grew up to become an estate agent and an expert in rating valuation and arbitration. He was Chairman of the Central London Valuation Tribunal 1977 onwards. Both he and his late brother (a Lt-Colonel in the Royal Welch Fusiliers) were members of the Board of Management of Hampstead Synagogue and pursued an orthodox faith. Donald was for many years a member of both the National Executive and the Finance & General Purposes Committee of the Council for Christians and Jews.
In 1971 he was elected to Westminster City Council and served as a member or Chairman of various Council Committees becoming Lord Mayor of Westminster 1980-1981 before retiring from the Council in 1986 to devote time to public affairs in the City of London. From 1988-1990 he was Master of the Guild of Freemen of the City of London - the largest organisation of its kind in London - and took a keen interest in his Livery company, becoming Master of the Worshipful Company of Horners 1991-1992. Simultaneously he held office in a number of charities including the Parkinson's Disease Society where he formed a successful London Branch in 1975 and was National Chairman 1990-1991.
Donald du Parc Braham was twice married and his children - especially David and Sophie - and the wider community will miss him hugely.
May he rest in peace.
Anthony Kilmister