Exeter, NH - After a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease, Richard Arnold Brayall, 69, lost his fight and passed away peacefully on Christmas Day, December 25, 2020, at the Exeter Center, Exeter, NH, with his family by his side.

Richard was born in Kittery, ME, on July 5, 1951, to Arnold E. Brayall, and Anne E. (Whenal) Brayall Nelson. He lived and grew up in Kittery with his grandparents, Harry T. and Charlotte T. Whenal.

Rick graduated from Robert W. Traip Academy in 1969. In 1973, Rick graduated from Bates College, Lewiston, ME, with a Bachelor's Degree with Honors in History. While working at AT&T in Boston, he earned a Master's Degree in Communications from Simmons College, Boston, MA.

He married Danita Cercone in 1972. They have three sons, Aaron, Trevor and Spencer. The family lived in Flemington, NJ, for 10 years before returning to New England and making their home in Sandown, NH, for the last 32 years.

After college, Richard started his career as a newspaper reporter and editor at the Lewiston Evening Journal, Lewiston, ME, before spending the next two decades in Public Relations with AT&T Long Lines at Bedminster, NJ; AT&T at Basking Ridge, NJ; and finally retiring from AT&T, Boston, MA. He then worked for Ericsson of Sweden before leaving due to Parkinson's complications. Rick also enjoyed teaching courses at local colleges in NH.

While at AT&T Rick had two favorite assignments, AT&T Long Lines cable laying ships, and the AT&T Satellites aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. He was able to attend two Space Shuttle launches from the Media Site, which was three miles from the launchpad. Rick started working at AT&T Long Lines, enjoying his time covering the cable ships. Rick was also assigned to attend and write about the last two Long Lines Ships to be added to the fleet and launched from Hawaii. Rick missed writing about both the Long Line Ships and the Space Launch Programs once AT&T moved onto newer technologies. A favorite work assignment while working at Ericsson was when he was assigned to Iceland to cover a chess match. While on assignment, he had a chance to play one game of chess with Garry Kasparov held outside on a glacier. Rick did well with his game, but it wasn't long before Mr. Kasparov won the match.

Rick was a longtime fan of the Boston Red Sox, attending opening day games with his grandmother, Charlotte, for many years. One of his happiest moments was watching the Red Sox win the 2004 World Series. Rick also enjoyed the New England Patriots, the Boston Celtics, The Three Stooges, Jeopardy, and watching movies, but most of all he enjoyed being with his family. Richard also enjoyed politics on all levels—local, state, and national. He ran for a seat on the Timberlane School Board three times, winning each contest handily. He served on the School Board for ten years, three of them as Chairman. Richard also coached baseball for his sons in Flemington and Sandown.

Richard's passions were reading, writing, and history. He combined these loves by collecting, reading, and even writing books about history. In 2008, he wrote and published his first book: "To the Uttermost of My Power, the Life and Times of Sir William Pepperrell 1696 to 1759", of Kittery, ME. In 2009, he published his second book: "Washington's Savior, General John Glover and the American Revolution", a biography of the man who rowed Washington across the Delaware River. Rick's favorite books of all time were "Northwest Passage", "The Caine Mutiny", and "The Lord of the Rings", which he read many, many times, from his very extensive personal library.

Rick is survived by his beloved wife of over 48 years, Danita Cercone Brayall, of Sandown, NH; three wonderful sons, Aaron Brayall of Auburn, NH, Trevor Brayall of Manchester, NH, and Spencer Brayall of Sandown; two adored daughters-in-law, Julie Bodenrader Brayall of Auburn, and Melissa French Brayall of Manchester, the joys of his life granddaughters, Nora Brayall 13, and Charlotte Brayall 8, both of Auburn, and soon-to-be-born grandson of Manchester; admired mother-in-law, Nadean Lovejoy Cercone of Kittery and Zephyrhills, FL; brothers-in-law, Antonio "Rusty" Cercone, III of South Berwick, ME, and Michael and Judy Swebilius Cercone; niece, Amanda Cercone; great nephew, Caden Cercone, all of Kittery; and great nieces Cora Jarnigan of Ohio, and Elyssa Archambault of Texas. He also leaves several cousins and their families.

Richard was predeceased by his grandparents, Harry T. and Charlotte T. Whenal, Damian and Ellen Brayall; mother, Anne Whenal Nelson, half sister, Catherine Nelson Cope, all of Kittery; father, Arnold Brayall of Laconia; father-in-law, Antonio "Tony" Cercone, Jr. of Kittery and Zephyrhills; niece, Zynda Cercone; and several aunts and uncles.

Richard's memory will live on through his family and the books he authored. Also, through the many people he met along his path throughout his life.

Richard's family would like to thank the many caregivers who have helped and cared for him for more than 15 years at all of the hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and long and short term care facilities he has stayed. Their special caring has always been very much appreciated. A special thank you to the staff at the Exeter Center, for helping Rick through the last year of his life.

A memorial service is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Richard's name to the Kittery Historical and Naval Museum, Kittery, ME, at http://www.kitterymuseum.com

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
– Winston Churchill. No one had more courage to continue than Richard A. Brayall.

Care of the Brayall Family has been entrusted to the J S Pelkey and Son Funeral Home.