William Haas Bransten

William Haas Bransten, former MJB president, is mourned in S.F.

William Haas Bransten, the descendent of a pioneer San Francisco Jewish family, died Sunday after a protracted illness. He was 82. The son of Florine Haas Bransten and Edward Bransten Sr., he was born in their home at 1735 Franklin St. in San Francisco. He received his education in local schools and at Stanford University. In 1925, he went to work tor the MJB and Western Can Co. at the behest of his father, the company president and sole surviving member of the previous generation of founding brothers. He began in the factory, working his way up through each department until he became a director, secretary and vice president. Only his intervening ill health prevented him from becoming president. After his father's death in 1948, Bransten became a member of the company's executive committee along with his cousin. Joe Bransten, who was at that time president, and his brother, Edward Bransten Jr. He played a decisive role in the fourfold expansion of the business. A long time member of Temple Emanu-EI and the Concordia-Argonaut Club, both in San Francisco, Bransten was active on behalf of numerous Jewish charities and was a one time president of the Federation of Jewish Charities, forerunner of the Jewish Communitv Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties. Survivors include Sue V. Bransten, his wife of 48 years; his daughter, Joan Sutton, and son James, his sister Alice Block and brother, Edward Bransten, two grandchildren, Sol Sender and Raymond Sutton, II nieces and nephews, I5 grand nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins, his sisters-in-law. Norma Victorius ot New York and Cathrvn Bransten of San Francisco, and his brother-in-law, George Block ot San Francisco. Services were held yesterdav at Sinai Memorial Chapel in San Francisco. Interment was at Home of Peace Cemetery, Colma. His family prefers contributions to an endowment fund in his name at the JCT, 121 Steuart St SF CA 94105. a fund in his name al Mount Zion Hospital and Medical Center, 1600 Divisadero st SF C A 94115; or Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center Parkinson's Disease Foundation, ... New York, N Y. 10032.

Edited from digital version,, J. Jewish News of Northern California (Emanu-El, Jewish Community Bulletin)⁩, 13 June 1986⁩