David Edward Brandt, a previous resident of Warwick, N.Y., passed away peacefully in Bucharest, Romania, on March 5th, 2025. He was 86 years old.
Born in Weehawken, N..J, on April, 24 1938, Dave grew up in Farmingdale, Long Island, before moving to Warwick in 1965.
He graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Architecture from Pratt Institute in 1966 and immediately became involved with historical restoration in the Town of Warwick. He submitted his architectural thesis plan to preserve the village’s charm and manifested his vision into what we still see today.
He was a past president of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce, a co-founder of the Architectural Review Board and he spearheaded the Warwick Beautification Committee.
He was instrumental in the organization of the Shade Tree Commission, establishing the historic district and the Warwick Historical Society’s revolving fund used toward building renovations.
In an effort to attract people and business to the valley, he also designed a photographic brochure titled “Think of Warwick.”
Some of his notable contributions as an award-winning architect include the Demarest Hotel renovation, his designs for the original red Carriage Path foot bridge, numerous residential homes, commercial buildings and the historic railroad station restoration on Railroad Avenue.
Over the years, Dave moved his office into the restored station building, sharing the space with his dear friend & town surveyor, Robert Schmick, as well as others. When not designing, he would often tend to the Village Green outside his office or tell stories over a martini at Peppe’s and the Landmark Inn.
After laying his pencil down for last time, Dave and his loving wife, Ana, retired to her childhood home in Romania in 2011 and spent their summers vacationing in Tuscany, Italy.
Dave is predeceased by his parents Thelma and Harry Brandt. He is survived by his wife Ana Brandt and stepdaughter Carmen Sandescu of Bucharest Romania; his two sons from his first marriage, David E. Brandt of Naugatuck, Conn., and Dorian E. Brandt of Warwick; his three siblings Judith Burns of Tulsa, Okla., Jean Doxzer of Littlestown, Pa., and John Brandt of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and his three grandchildren: Gabriel Brandt of Brooklyn, Aja Brandt of Warwick and Tristan Brandt of Charlotte, NC.
Dave was a man who lived life passionately and on his own terms. He had a sharp wit, an unmatched ability to make friends wherever he went and his contributions to the town of Warwick are undoubtedly significant. He will be missed.
Though there will be no formal services, those who knew him are encouraged to enjoy a martini in his memory. Cheers.