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1946-Wednesday, August 29, 1990
Robert Brigham Auld, one of the founding members and the president of the Provincetown Positive PWA Coalition, died August 29 of complications due to AIDS at his home in Provincetown. He was 46.
Mr. Auld, known as Brigham to his friends, lived in Boston and New York City before moving to Provincetown over two years ago. He summered in Provincetown for over 20 years.
Before retiring from the interior landscape design business, Mr. Auld attracted an illustrious clientele. Virginia Graham, a big client, introduced Lucille Ball and Paulette Goddard to his design work. Actress Susan Hayward was a source of great inspiration to Auld.
He ran "Terestria," a rooftop greenhouse in New York City. During the Christmas seasons of 1986 and 1987, he designed and installed all of the holiday decorations at the Trump Towers.
A founding member of the Provincetown Positive PWA Coalition, Mr. Auld was elected president in 1989 and held that office until his death. His passion for the principles of self-empowerment were widely acclaimed.
Mr. Auld was an acknowledged leader of the local response to the AIDS crisis.
For two years, Mr. Auld organized and ran the PWA Coalition Christmas shop, which raised money for the group and its clients. He used his background in interior landscaping to make the Christmas shop a success, selling wreaths, trees and other holiday decorations.
"Even when he was ill, he got up every morning and made sure he was on time to open up the Christmas shop," said his close friend Jim Rann.
Mr. Auld is survived by his mother, Gertrude M. Auld; his father, Robert F. Auld; a sister, Geraldine Correia; and a brother, Ronald J. Auld, all of Bourne.
He is also survived by a dear cousin, Ellen Leahy of Boston and four nieces, two nephews, one grand nephew, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law.
Among the many friends he leaves in Provincetown are Jim Rann, Pasquale Natale, Jeffrey Maienza and John Perry Ryan.
A memorial service is planned for Sunday at the Unitarian-Universalist Meeting House in Provincetown at 3 p.m. A tea will immediately follow.
Memorial donations in Mr. Auld's name may be made to the Provincetown Positive PWA Coalition and the Provincetown AIDS Support Group.
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