Robert "Buzz" Brazee

Robert “Buzz” Brazee of Berlin, CT, age 83, peacefully left this life on August 2, 2023 after a challenging battle with cancer. Buzz was born February 3, 1940 to Albert J. and Anna (Kiyak) Brazee in New Milford, CT. He spent his childhood living on working farms in Sherman and Watertown, growing up alongside his siblings Joseph (Jane), George (Esther), and Elsie (Ronald). Upon marrying his wife Gail of 50 years in 1973, they resided in Harwinton, CT and after 17 years moved to South Windsor where they stayed for 26 years. After retirement, they moved to Berlin, CT where they lived for his final 10 years.  Buzz is the loyal and hard-working father of four children, Sherri Thibodeau of Berlin, Valerie Guss of East Haddam, Chad Brazee (Raeanne) of Bedford, MA, and Kristen Zavisza (JR) of Windsor. Buzz is the proud grandfather/papa of Nicholas and Tyler Thibodeau, Madison and Taylor Guss, Owen, Chase, and Annabelle Brazee, and Hadleigh and Waylon Zavisza. After graduating Kaynor Technical High School in 1958, Buzz became a mechanical engineer by trade, working at Stevens Corporation where he completed his tool and dye apprenticeship. Following that, he spent some time employed at Timex Corporation, Waring, and Pratt & Whitney. Buzz also earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Central Connecticut State University in industrial tech management. For decades he worked in his expert trade, but Buzz made a final career change as a card dealer for Foxwoods Casino where he stayed for 15 years before retiring in 2005. 

Outside of work, Buzz could be found at the local bowling alley right up until a year prior to his passing. Bowling was something that brought him great joy from a young age, right from first ever job as pin boy at age 12 at Blue Ribbon Lanes in Watertown. He was a certified member of the National Duckpin Association for 31 years, winning numerous tournaments in western Connecticut and Torrington. Beyond bowling, Buzz has been an avid Mets fan for as long as anyone can remember, still coveting the World Series Championship 1986 RC Cola can in his fridge at home to this day. Sports in general were a passion of Buzz. Some of his greatest memories were playing, watching (and critiquing!) his children and grandchildren in their respective sporting events. As a certified ASA umpire in Connecticut for 15 years, Buzz found great joy in the details of the game and enjoyed evenings spent at the field beyond his regular work hours. In addition, he was a member of Elks Lodge 372 where he and his wife Gail spent many married years, socializing and enjoying events. Buzz always spent a great deal of time taking care of his home and yard, building his own shed, deck and patio, landscaping, and offering to trim trees or give advice to his children. In his spare time he could often be found working on various projects around the house. In his retirement years, Buzz enjoyed traveling with his wife Gail on cruises and road trips that allowed them to visit places they always wanted to go together, like Nashville, specifically Graceland, the beautiful beaches of Bermuda, and various places in Maine. Self-sufficient in nature, Buzz prided himself in being self-taught, curious, mathematically-minded, and motivated. Card playing, “oldies” music, in particular Elvis, and being silly with his grandchildren are the ways we want to remember Buzz enjoying life and being at his best. He was satisfied with all that he had accomplished, but most of all had great pride in his children and grandchildren.

Friends and family may call at The Berlin Memorial Funeral Home, 96 Main St., Kensington, Sunday, August 06,, 2023 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.  Funeral services will be held Monday August 07, 2023, 10:00 AM The Berlin Memorial Funeral Home.   Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Helen and Harry Cancer Center, 79 Retreat Ave, Hartford, CT 06106   For online condolences visit: www.berlinmemorialfuneralhome.com

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