Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.

Thomas C. Von Braunsberg, age 87, of Allentown PA, died Wednesday, August 1, 2007 in the home he and his wife built and loved. He was the husband of Margaret M. (Bradley) Von Braunsberg.

Born in Brooklyn NY, September 6, 1919, he was the son of the late Joseph T. and Mary (O'Brien) Von Braunsberg. He worked as a Sales Representative for Associated Foods in New York until retiring in 1985. After retiring he assisted in the family business, Magnolia's Restaurant, Orefield PA. He was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Allentown, where he was a member of the churches Senior Citizens Club. He was a United States Army Veteran of World War II.

In addition to his loving Wife; he was a devoted father to Daughters, Caryn A., wife of Mark P. Rogosky of Orefield PA and Regina V., wife of William C. Derrickson of Salisbury Township PA; beloved Grandpa to 6 Grandchildren; and beloved Great Grandpa to 4 Great Grandchildren. He was predeceased by his Daughter, Mary Jane Grealish.

Funeral Services will be held 9:50 a.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2007 in the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., 4906 Route 309, Schnecksville PA, followed by a Mass of a Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., in the St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1040 Flexor Avenue, Allentown PA. Family and Friends may Call 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Monday, August 6th and 8:50 - 9:50 a.m., Tuesday in the Funeral Home. Interment will conclude at the Resurrection Cemetery, Wescosville with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the dedicated and caring staff of the Lehigh Valley Hospice, c/o the Funeral Home, PO Box 196, Schnecksville PA 18078-0196.

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Tribute to Nobleman

Caryn Rogosky, daughter of Tho 08-03-2007

My father was a man of enormous faith in God, who loved his country and who was passionately devoted to his family. He was not born into wealth; he was the son of first generation immigrants from Ireland and Germany, struggling to survive during the Great Depression in New York.

Although not revealed in a brief itinerary of his existence on this earth, my father was a true nobleman -- in heritage and in practice, through whose veins coursed the blood of ancient aristocracy. Through his mother, Mary, he was a direct descendant of Brian Boru, the first and last High King of Ireland, who united the many scattered tribes into one formidable nation over a thousand years ago..As stories of heroic deeds are passed down through many generations, the line between legend and reality are often blurred. However, like my father, Brian Boru was not a legend but a real man, whose legacy was forged in this life deeds.

Through his father, Joseph, my father also descended from Prince Maximillian Zu Wied of Germany, also known as Baron Von Braunsberg in the Americas. "Prince Max" was born in 1782, at the ancestral palace of Neuwied in Prussia. As the eighth child in a family of ten, Prince Max showed a keen interest in the study of natural history at a very early age and as he grew, showed very little interest in politics. Instead, he immersed himself in subjects concerning exploration, botany and ethnic culture. During his lifetime, he made several famous journeys to North and South America to observe indigenous peoples and plant life. He was also an accomplished artist, and his published diaries, journals, books and water colors have documented his remarkable experiences in many fascinating places, including the then unknown hinterlands of Brazil where he collected and studied countless specimens of exotic animals animals and plants. His sketches and watercolors have been lauded as a priceless and accurate rendition of the landscapes, costumes, and tribes of early 19th century Brazil and of the rustic North American Frontier.

Today, a unique little tea set once owned by the Baroness Von Braunsberg of Prussia, which was carefully passed down through generations of my father's family, sits not in a palace or a museum in Germany, but in a modest glass cabinet in the home my father loved most of all, in the land he loved above all others...the United States of America.

My father was a true nobleman, a Prince in his own right. He was an intelligent,witty,dignified, proud, compassionate and highly ethical human being who taught his children the value of choosing honor in all things. Through my father's example, I learned that there is a time to keep silent and a time to speak up; a time to be humble and a time to be proud; a time to stand back and a time to step up, a time to find peace, and a time to find the courage to fight. From him I learned the importance of only making promises you intend to keep, and then doing everything humanly possible to fulfill your promises. He showed me that nothing matters more in life than caring for those you love, and that there is no sacrifice too great for those you hold the closest to your heart. From him I was given a deep love for animals and a reverence for all living things, regardless of how small or seemingly insignificant they may seem.

These gifts are the priceless jewels in my father's royal treasury, and he has generously shared them with his children, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren during the nearly 88 years of his life on earth.

Dad, to be with you through your time of illness, to help to care for you in your hardest times, was a blessing like no other I have ever known. To lie my head against your chest as you took your final breaths was the hardest thing I've ever done, and the most rewarding gift I've ever received. I love you with all of my heart, and I know that you knew that. You are with me every moment of every hour of each and every one of my days. Thank you for being the best father any daughter could ever hope for.
Caryn

Always a smile

Kathy Bradley Stokes 08-07-2007

We just came back from vacation to hear this very sad news. I am so sorry that we missed the service.

I am sitting here looking at his picture and thinking about all the wonderful family gatherings we had growing up. When I think of Uncle Bubby, I always remember him smiling. He always spoke about the good and fun things he saw in people I never knew him to have harsh words for anyone.

It is very hard to imagine going forward without someone who was such a big part of your lives - I know - but in time the sorrow and tears will lessen and you will cherish his memory with gratitude, love and a smile.

Kathy Stokes
August 7, 2007

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