Grampy Brown. We miss you.

A couple of months ago, Grampy found out he had cancer. We were hoping for at least one more summer trip to Maine to see everyone but we ended  up going to Florida over Easter weekend.  Rick flew directly from Nashville and I loaded everyone into the car in a matter of hours and we all met in Ruskin at the Hospice. We had a very special visit with Grampy and all the family. Grampy recovered remarkably on the day we arrived and we had such a good time visiting, laughing and praying together. We left and drove back home and Rick was able to stay with his dad until Saturday at 5pm when Grampy passed on. We will be going to Maine for the visitation and funeral. This has been a very sad time but we were also very blessed to be able to see Grampy and spend the time last week. As he lay on his bed before we left he said several times that he thinks he is the most blessed man on earth. 

Richard B. Brown

Richard B. Brown, 74, of Ocean Park, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at Sun City Center Hospice House in Ruskin, Florida. 

Born in Woburn, Massachusetts, he was the loving son of the late Kenneth and Elta (Burgess) Brown. He graduated from Burlington High School and was the president, class of 1960.

He owned and operated Brown Ambulance Service. He became the first town administrator of Burlington, Massachusetts. Dick was also the first town manager of Bedford and Amesbury, Massachusetts and Lincoln, New Hampshire.

He moved to Maine and continued his public service as town manager in South Berwick.
He served as State Representative in the Maine House of Representatives district 146.
His passion for his work led him to his final position of manager in York County after he had already retired.

Dick enjoyed traveling, listening to organ music and spending time at Ocean Park beach. He was very passionate about his work as town manager and gave much of himself to improve the lives of all people within the municipalities he managed. 

He is survived by his children Sue Ann Brown, Richard B. Brown Jr. and his wife Sandy, Amy Signorello and her husband Mike, and Kenneth Brown. He is also survived by two sisters Lois Brown and Jane Reily, one brother Phillip Brown, several nieces and nephews, seven grandchildren and his long time companion Joyce Collins.

Visiting Hours will be 5-8PM Friday, April 17, 2015 at Cote Funeral Home, 87 James Street, Saco. A Funeral Service will be at 11:00AM Saturday, April 18, 2015, at The Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco & Biddeford, 60 School Street, Saco. Burial will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco. To sign the guestbook or leave condolences go to www.cotefuneralhome.com

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to the Shriners Hospital.

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Rick was able to spend the last week with his dad. They talked, laughed, prayed, and cried. Rick read scripture and prayed with his father. Alex, Addison, Atley and I drove to Florida and were able to spend some very special time. His great and spicy sense of humour kept us laughing til the end. It was truly incredible.

Joyce, Amy, Sue and Rick spent much time in this room with Grampy. 

 He always had a flag pole in front of his homes. When he passed on, Rick and Joyce had the flag at 1/2 mast.
They also put flags all over downtown South Berwick in honor of Granpy and flags at 1/2 mast.

Grampy wanted to have a special 4th of July celebration when we were last in Maine. We all had T shirts for the Brown family, and Rick read the Declaration of Independence before we took part in the town parade.

Soli Deo Gloria