Ormonde L. Brown, December 27, 1927-June 25, 2015, Korean War Veteran
Ormonde Lincoln (Brownie) Brown, 87 years old, long-time resident of Wilmington, Massachusetts, passed away quietly on June 25, 2015 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading, Massachusetts. Before entering Hospice care, he resided at Atria Longmeadow Place, Burlington, Massachusetts.
This gracious and generous gentleman was a greatly beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. His exemplary thoughtfulness and abundant acts of kindness enhanced and inspired the lives of many individuals throughout his long, positive, joyous and productive life. He exhibited extraordinary passion and enthusiasm for life. He dedicated his life to his family, his friends, his country, his work, and to making a difference in this world at a very personal level. Perhaps his greatest gift was his ability to bring out the best in others. Mr. Brown embodied quiet courage and determination. He battled many serious illnesses during the last fifteen years of his life, and did so with tremendous fortitude, grace, and faith.
Mr. Brown was the third of six children of Hazel C. and Philip R. Brown of Vassalboro, Maine. He was born on the family farm, and lived there throughout his youth. His hardscrabble farm upbringing during the Great Depression imbued in him a life-long love of Maine, land, farm-life, hard work, simple joys, and the firm belief that a family working together can overcome almost any obstacle. He was predeceased by his parents, and by three brothers: Philip R. Brown, Malcolm C. Brown, and Bradford B. Brown. He is survived by his sister, Adelaide L. Bohlander, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and his brother, Neal C. Brown, of Greenfield, New Hampshire. He was much adored “Uncle Orm” to fourteen nieces and nephews.
Ormonde graduated from Colby College in Waterville, Maine in 1951. He demonstrated consistent dedication to Colby College, and was recognized for his generosity and devotion to Colby by being named the Colby College “C Man of 1993”. He greatly valued education and exemplified what it means to be a life-long learner. He read constantly and was a passionate student of military history, particularly of World War II. He loved to learn through travel. After graduating from Colby, Mr. Brown enlisted in the United States Navy. After completing Officers Candidate School, he served in Naval Communications as a LTJG while stationed in Japan during the Korean War.
On October 18, 1952, Ormonde married the love of his life; Dolores Jeanne Bulger, of Winslow, Maine. Their loving union of 47 years lasted until May of 2000, when Mrs. Brown passed away unexpectedly. Ormonde and Dolores had two children: Marcia Brown Arndt, of Amherst, New Hampshire, and Vance M. Brown, MD, of Cooperstown, New York. They were very fond of their son-in law, Howard D. Arndt, and their daughter-in-law, Lauren Hinson-Brown. They were the devoted grandparents of Erin E. Karper, Paul L. Karper, Michael M. Karper, Daniel P. Karper, and Carson L. Brown, and of one great-grandchild; Connor P. Quinn. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the host parents of AFS exchange student, Leif R. Moe, of Gothenberg, Sweden in 1975-76. They continued a greatly treasured relationship with their “Swedish son” Leif and his family throughout their lives. Mr. Brown was blessed by the wonderful friendship and support of his dear friend, Mary O’Connell of Stoneham, Massachusetts, and greatly enjoyed and valued his relationship with her, her children and her grandchildren.
Mr. Brown was highly devoted to his work as a manufacturer’s representative. He worked as a salesman for Hathaway Shirts for many years and later, as a sales representative for Pendleton Woolen Mills. He was also employed for several years by Connoisseurs in Wilmington, Massachusetts. A career in sales for a natural fit for his outgoing personality and his genuine interest in people.
There will be no calling hours. To celebrate Ormonde’s extraordinary life, there will be a memorial service at a date to be determined by the family, where friends and family will be welcome to honor him. Mr. and Mrs. Brown will be interred together following a committal service in the Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, Maine, on August 7, 2015 at 2 pm. Charitable contributions in the memory of Ormonde L. Brown may be made to The American Cancer Society, or to Sawtelle Family Hospice House, 320 Haverhill St, Reading, Massachusetts 01867. Arrangements under the direction of Cota Funeral Homes, 335 Park St., North Reading MA.
(NOTE: The obituary & photo is from Cota Funeral Home.)
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