DOUGLAS H. BROWN

CAMDEN, ELLSWORTH, and BANGOR – Douglas H. Brown, 76, founder of Doug’s Shop ‘N Save Supermarkets and respected community leader, died Thursday, July 28, 2005, at his cottage in Ellsworth surrounded by his loving wife, Barbara Bryant Brown, family, and caregivers after a courageous year-long battle with cancer of the duodenum. Leaving his dearly loved family, Doug peacefully entered his eternal home to meet his Lord and be reunited with Ana, his first love and wife of 53 years. He was born Jan. 31, 1929, in Lubec, the son of Dexter and Ermina (Fletcher) Brown. Doug was an enterprising youth, performing a variety of odd jobs as early as age five. In 1943, his family moved to South Portland where Doug’s grocery career began in earnest. At the age of 14, he earned a job as a bag boy at a new Red & White store by convincing a skeptical manager that he would work for free until he was needed. Practicing his father’s lesson of giving a day’s work plus ten percent, Doug received a pay envelope for that first week and quickly worked his way through all the departments while still in high school. By graduation, he was the acting manager when the owner was away. Not surprisingly, Doug was voted ‘most likely to succeed’ from South Portland High School in 1947. After graduation, Doug married his life partner, Ana Brewer, originally from Houlton and also a grocer. They moved to manage another Red & White store in Thomaston, Maine. Although promised they could purchase the store if they made it a success, after two and one-half years the company reneged because the store had become too profitable! Doug then went to work for two years at Brown’s Market in Camden before moving to the Bangor area to join International Milling Company where he became a top salesman selling Robin Hood Flour. He next joined the T.R. Savage Company of Bangor where he directed the expansion of Pine Tree and Nationwide stores until its merger with Hannaford Brothers Company. In 1957, he became Director of Retail Operations. Even with his executive position, Doug hungered to be in business for himself and reached an agreement with Hannaford Brothers to become an equity partner. In April of 1960, the first Shop ‘N Save store opened on the corner of Third and Union Streets in Bangor. Despite competing against national grocery chains, an act which many considered to be risky, the store quickly became a success. A builder by nature, Doug gradually opened additional stores in Bangor, Brewer, Old Town, Bucksport and Ellsworth which were named Doug’s Shop ‘N Save, but commonly referred to simply as Doug’s by an appreciative public. His business philosophy was to take care of the customer first, the employees second, and the stockholders third. He was a hands-on President with a keen attention to detail. On his frequent store visits, one could find him bagging groceries or conversing with employees to stay connected with his customers and staff. His strong work ethic created opportunities and he often said “the harder I work, the luckier I get”. His business acumen earned him a reputation as an industry leader until 1989, when on his 60th birthday, he sold his interests in eight stores to Hannaford. Doug was retained by Hannaford’s as a consultant for the next two years. A leader by example, Doug set high standards for himself and others. Committed to people’s growth and development, Doug frequently tapped his repository of life experiences to counsel and mentor many individuals. His compassion, loyalty, and concern for the welfare of others were evident in the manner he lived. Doug believed in giving back to the community and generously provided his time, talents, and financial resources to numerous civic organizations and capital campaigns. He was a skilled leader and gifted fundraiser who worked for community advancement. A visionary with unique candor, Doug had the ability and willingness to strike at the heart of an issue. He was a man of strong character who consistently chose the “proper” way over the “easy” way, even at the expense of his own self-interest. A tireless volunteer, at times Doug was chairman of the board for five organizations simultaneously. A partial list of his past community service leadership positions include Eastern Maine Healthcare, E.M.M.C., Affiliated Healthcare, Ross Manor, Husson College, Maine Community Foundation, Bangor YWCA, Bangor YMCA, Bangor Center Development Corp., Training and Development Corp. (Job Corps), University of Maine Foundation, Phillips-Strickland House, YMCA Foundation, Katahdin Area Boy Scout Council, Governor’s Business Advisory Council, Action Committee of 50, United Way, and Bangor Rotary Club. He was previously a Deacon at Columbia Street Baptist Church, Director of Fleet Bank, member of the Maine National Guard, and Bangor City Councilor. Doug was frequently recognized for his business success and civic contributions. Among his most cherished awards were Husson College Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, 1977; 33? Mason, 1980; Maine Chamber of Commerce & Industry Man of the Year, 1986; Norbert X. Dowd Award, 1987; and Affiliated Healthcare Systems naming a building in his honor for 30 years of Board service to the Eastern Maine Healthcare family, 2005. Much of Doug’s “retirement” was focused on his long-standing commitment to community work, spending time with his family and friends, and caring for his wife Ana. He was an active 44-year member of Columbia Street Baptist Church. He enjoyed wintering in Sarasota, summering at Branch Lake, as well as traveling throughout the world. His hobbies included fishing trips with his friends Ralph Leonard and Lloyd Willey, flower gardening, discussing business or politics, storytelling, and a good game of cards, especially cribbage. Wherever he was, Doug always enjoyed sharing conversation and fellowship over a meal; a practice he continued during his illness, even though he himself was unable to eat for the past year. After being widowed, Doug chose to love again and married Barbara Bryant, a family friend from his earlier days in Camden. He felt blessed and appreciated having Barbara as a devoted and faithful partner, particularly as he faced the challenges of cancer. They had hoped to share 10 years of life together in her hometown, but were given only three. In addition to his wife Barbara, Doug is survived by one son and his wife, Ronald and Shelly Brown of Bangor; one daughter and her husband, Debra and Donald Additon of Hampden; four grandchildren, Scott Brown of Winthrop, Mass., Todd Brown of Burlington, Vt., Rachel Additon of Hampden, and Nathan Brown of Bangor; a great-granddaughter, Amelia Brown of Burlington, Vt.; also, a stepfamily, John, Victoria, Amy, and Adam Bryant of Camden and Sherry, Chris, and Corey Leech of Lincolnville; brother, Glenn and his wife, Linda, of Freeport; sister, Ger-aldine Coulston of Scarborough; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. This obituary only begins to capture the Doug we knew and loved. He used his life to serve his God, family, and community. He will be sorely missed. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21. A celebration of his life will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, 2005 at Columbia Street Baptist Church, Bangor, with the Rev. Peter Sprague and the Rev. Foster Williams officiating. Immediately following, a reception for conversation and reflection will be held at the Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road, Bangor. A private interment will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. Those who wish to remember Doug in a special way, may make contributions in his memory to the Douglas H. and Ana M. Brown Endowment Fund at Eastern Maine Charities, P.O. Box 404, Bangor, ME 04402-0404. This fund was endowed by Doug and Ana to assist students from Maine in pursuing business and nursing degrees at Husson College. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor.