Laurence M. (Sunny) Bragg

Laurence M. “Sunny” Bragg passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at the age of 87.  A long time resident of Norfolk, Virginia, he was raised in the home at 1027 Graydon Avenue, which he fondly called “Virginada”.  He was born to the late Dr. Laurence A. Bragg of Alberta, Virginia and Mrs. Muriel Moore Bragg of Toronto, Canada.

Sunny leaves to cherish his memory one son, Laurence Dickerson Bragg and wife Laura of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and their three children Tommy, Sarah, and Connor; a sister Elizabeth Crafts of Midlothian, Virginia, and her four children Lynn, Peggy, Morgan, and Susan and their families; and, a sister Martha Haynsworth and husband Toby of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and their son Sam.

Sunny went to school at Walter Herron Taylor Elementary, Blair Junior High, and graduated from Matthew Fontaine Maury High School.  After a stint in the United States Army, 82^nd Airborne Division and Ranger, Sunny graduated from the University of Virginia.  During his working years, Sunny went overseas and sold cars to American Servicemen, worked for the Moore Corporation (his grandfather’s company which invented and sold carbon paper and business forms), and developed land in Dahlonega, Georgia, where he retired and spent his final years.

Sunny grew up a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk, Virginia, was a life-time member of the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club, and was a long-tenured member of the Boat Club.  He was a previous Chairman of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the 82^nd Airborne Division Association, in which capacity he was responsible for organizing many local events.

Sunny was a jovial person who kept in touch on a regular basis with many friends from school and the Army.  One of his many sayings was “I’m a child at heart and I hope I never grow up!”  He leaves behind his family and friends who will miss his kindness, sense of humor, and trademark smile.  Go Hoos!

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel at Banister Funeral Home in Dahlonega, Georgia.   Interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia on April 7, 2016.  Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Virginia General Fund, or to a UVA Department of your choosing.  Condolences may be left at [email protected].