Randolph "Randy" D. Brant

Randolph “Randy” D. Brant, 90, of Salamanca, NY died peacefully Friday, January 31, 2025.

Born January 28, 1935 in Somerset, PA, he was the son of the late Herbert and Ida Stull Brant. He was married in Salamanca, NY to the former Carolyn Watt, who survives.

He was a graduate of Somerset High School, Class of 1953.

Randy was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving as a Staff Sargent at Loring Air Force Base in Karbon, ME as part of the Strategic Air Command during the Korean Conflict.

He had been in the construction industry most of his adult life and had worked as a surveyor with Lane Construction, Bridgeville, PA, working on the construction of US Route 17 as well as various projects including the Niagara Falls Power Vista Project and the St. Lawrence Seaway. He was also the first in-house Seneca Nation surveyor and had been employed with the Nation’s All Indian Construction Services, Salamanca, NY, building Nation HUD housing, the former Seneca Iroquois National Museum, and High Banks Campgrounds, along with other various Nation projects.

Randy was a member of the Square Circle Rod and Gun Club, and the Salamanca Burger King talking circle. He enjoyed spending time with his family, and also for 31 years, he enjoyed the companionship of his two border collies—first Bart, then Ittybit, who brought great joy to his life. They could be seen walking around Allegany State Park or the Pennsy Trail nearly every day.

He also enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, gardening, birdwatching, and he was an avid fan of Westerns. Randy loved travelling cross-country with his wife in their RV, taking several trips to Alaska and Labrador, Canada. They were also snow birds and spent over twenty-five years migrating to Florida.

Surviving besides his wife are: four daughters, Deborah Golaszewski, NJ, Odie (Rob) Porter, Brenda (Pat) Deeghan, Nancy (Jay) Toth, all of Salamanca, NY; a son, Rodney Pierce, Salamanca, NY; numerous grand- and great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Kathleen Mitchell in 2010.

Per his wishes, there will be no visitation.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, to support Randy’s love of dogs, memorials may be made to Empire Animal Rescue Society (EARS), P.O. Box 445, Salamanca, NY 14779.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.