Brandon "Brandy" Wight

Brandon Mayhew Wight "Brandy" passed away peacefully in his sleep of old age Sunday, February 26, 2017 in his home at Oak Hammock. He would have been 102 years old in May.

Brandon Mayhew Wight "Brandy" was born in Pawtuxet, R.I., attended local schools and graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)in the areas of Interior Architecture and Design.

During WWII Wight was stationed on Saipan and Okinawa with the Aviation Engineers to build the runways for the B-29's to head to Japan.

After the War, Wight returned to Baker Furniture in New York and later worked at Lord & Taylor in Furniture and Decorating. In 1954 he moved to the island of Martha's Vineyard, where Wight's family dated back to the 1640's, and opened a boutique/gallery, selling some purchases made on various European trips and also items he brought back from the War. The business is still running, the Granary Gallery.

Pres. Bill Clinton, Hillary and Chelsea spent over three hours at the Gallery in 1993. Brandy and co-owner Bruce Blackwell presented the President, for the country, a copy of the Declaration of Independence printed on toile about 1800. President Clinton invited them to the White House to see the document, which was hanging on the third floor of the East Wing Private Residence. In 1995 Wight celebrated his 80th birthday in the Oval Office with President Clinton.

Wight is survived by his husband Bruce Blackwell, nieces Judith Lutender (Barry), Karen Duffy (Richard), and their families. He was preceded in death by his sister Dorothy Barker. Burial was in Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at a later date at Oak Hammock.

Suggested charities for remembrances: the Benevolent Fund of Oak Hammock at the University of Florida, 5100 SW 25th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32608 (a 501(c)3 charity for those Oak Hammock members whose resources have been exhausted); Hospice 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606-3809 www.havenhospice.org.