Eugene B. Brown Sr.
Brown, Eugene B., Sr., 86, WASHBURN, June 7, 2010. Arrangements in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
WASHBURN – Eugene B. (Brownie) Brown, Sr., 86, passed away Monday, June 7, 2010, at a Presque Isle hospital. He was born May 17, 1924, in Patten, the son of Harold and Bessie (Harvey) Brown. Brownie attended local schools in Patten and then joined the U.S. Navy. Upon his honorary medical discharge, he was employed as a station agent at the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad for eleven years before joining Aroostook Potato Growers and becoming co-owner of the Washburn Potato Company. He was very community minded, serving on the Board of Directors of Washburn Trust Company, the Board of Directors for MSAD 45, President of the Washburn Rotary Club, and was named honorary alumnus of Washburn District High School. Brownie’s family was very important to him. His family accompanied him for nine summers and enjoyed living on Silver Beach as he worked in Exmore, VA for M.J. Duer Potato Company. He and his wife, Kay, also spent thirty-five winters in Daytona Beach Shores, FL, freely sharing their home with each of their children and grandchildren. They also traveled to Walt Disney World with 22 family members and made some very special memories. Brownie and Kay spent many happy times with their family at their camp at Portage Lake. Brownie also enjoyed stock car racing at Spud Speedway. He owned and operated a stock car sponsored by Washburn Potato Company. In later years, he was “honorary field boss" for Aaron Turner Farms and enjoyed picking potatoes and giving them away. He was an avid poker player, enjoyed fly fishing and hunting, and, in later years, putting puzzles together.
Surviving, in addition to his wife of almost 66 years, Kathleen (Willigar) of Washburn, are his five children, Brenda and her husband Larry Turner, Cheryl and her husband Winston Shankel, Vicki and her husband Deryle Sponberg, Joanne and her husband David Lavway, and Eugene, Jr. and his wife Londa Brown; twelve grandchildren, Wendy and her husband David Rose, Sheila and her husband Doug Clark, Aaron and his wife Laura Turner, Craig Russell, Linda and her husband Chris MacDonald, Angela and her husband Scott Wardwell, Gregory and his wife Nicol Sponberg, Marci and her husband Stephen Wilcox, Amie Lavway and her fiancé Kris Milo, Laura and her husband Pete Slay, Eugene B. Brown, III, Eric and his wife Janet Brown; sixteen great-grandchildren, Alexander Rose, Michael and Brian Clark, Mason and McCall Turner, CJ Russell, Anna and Abigail MacDonald, Annelise and Liliana Wardwell, Summer Sponberg, Christopher, Andrew, and Morgan Wilcox, Caleb and BJ Brown. He also leaves behind a sister, Charlotte Michaud of Connecticut; and in-laws, Clarence and his wife Sandy Willigar, Nora Willigar, Reba Wiggins, Bob and Gloria Willigar, Cora Savage, Jane and Donnie McNally, Judy James, Elsie and Vernon Campbell, Ruth and Chippy Lane, Donis and Wanda Willigar, Gail Campbell, and Elaine Willigar.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Manly Brown; and a great-grandson, Luke Sponberg.
Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 10, 2010, at the Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church Street, Presque Isle with the Rev. Clayton Blackstone, Jr. officiating. Friends called from 12 noon until time of service. Internment took place following the service at Crouseville Cemetery. Those who wish may make donations to the Luke Sponberg Foundation online at www.thelukesponbergfoundation.blogspot.com or by mail at 204 Pearl Street, Franklin, TN 37064. Arrangements in care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed online at www.duncan-graves.com.
