EDWARD SPAULDING BROWN

BANGOR – Edward Spaulding Brown, 87, died Monday, May 18, 2009, with two of his daughters at his side after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born Aug. 6, 1921, in Pittsfield, the son of Ralph W. and Mae (Spaulding) Brown. Ed graduated from Bangor High School and in 1943 was a member of the first class to graduate from Maine Maritime Academy. He entered the U.S. Navy as an ensign and was promoted to lieutenant junior grade, serving aboard the USS Caliente and the USS Menard in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was both a Trusty Dragon Back of the Order of the Golden Dragon and a Trusty Shellback of the Ancient Order of the Deep. He met Gretchen Russell of New Baden, Texas, in San Francisco and they married Oct. 3, 1945, and later settled in Bangor to raise their family. Brownie worked for C.H. Babb early in his career, for Robinson-Kenny as a service technician, and then for the Webber Oil Co., eventually heading up the heating department and then managing Webber Supply. He held a master’s license for oil and solid fuel heating and was as deft using a blow torch and handling pipe as he was managing boiler installations. He was a member and chairman of the Oil Burner Board of the Department of Business Regulation for the state of Maine. A certified member of The Biggest Bucks in Maine Club, he was an avid sportsman and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He belonged to the Anah Shrine Temple and the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Ed and Gretchen retired to Higgins Beach in Scarborough where they had spent many summers when raising their children. Ed was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Gretchen; his parents, his brother Ralph, his sister Catherine and grandson Daniel. He leaves behind six children: daughter Pat Scarborough and her husband, Michael, of Oviedo, Fla.; daughter Nancy Brown of Anchorage, Alaska; daughter Sally McManus and her husband, Gregory, of Bangor; son Edward Brown Jr. and his wife, Barbie, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; daughter Suzette Darge and her husband, August, of Dixmont; and daughter Gretchen Heinauer and her husband, Richard, of Hereford, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter and several nieces and nephews. The family extends sincere thanks to the staff at Westgate Manor, especially Acadia Wing staff, for the patient, diligent, loving care they gave Ed during his more than two-year stay. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor. The burial service will be private.