ORONO – Peter Brown died peacefully Aug. 16, 2009, at a local hospital at the age of 91 after a long illness. Ever the willing traveler, he embarked on his last journey with grace and fortitude. He was born Dec. 4, 1917, in Lewistown, Mont. His family moved to St. Louis and then to New York City, where he spent his formative years. He graduated from New York University in business administration before entering the Army/Air Force in 1943. In 1945 he was released from active duty as a first lieutenant, having served as a navigator in the Air Transport Command in the European and China-Burma theatres of operation. Peter met his wife of 55 years, Mary Turner, while on a layover in Tallahassee, Fla. They married after a two-week courtship at the conclusion of the war. They moved to Long Island, N.Y., where they raised their family until their retirement in 1979, when they moved to Pisgah Forest, N.C. After his wife’s death in 1999, Peter moved to Orono to be near his daughter, Annie. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 84 and member of Orono United Methodist Church. Peter enjoyed carpentry, crossword puzzles, hiking, gardening and helping others. He and his wife adopted a long string of cats, several of them bringing other stray’s home to join the family. His family will remember him as a gentle man, who never had a bad word to say about anyone and who accepted each day with grace and dignity. He was a devoted husband and father, a man of few words, but much love. Until the end of his life, he maintained a wry sense of humor, which was the delight of all who knew him. Peter was predeceased by his wife, Mary; his son, David; and his two brothers, Lyford and Philip. He is survived by his daughter, Betty “Annie” Brown of Orono; his son, Richard Brown of Buffalo, N.Y.; his dearly loved sister, Barb Smick of Key Largo, Fla.; his grandchildren, Daniel, Curtis, Ronald and Kimberly and their children and grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. The family expresses its deep thanks to the staff at Sylvia Ross Home and St. Joseph Home Care and Hospice for the loving care Peter received during the last months of his life. Friends are invited to call 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at Brookings-Smith, LaBeau Chapel, 72 Main St., Orono. There will be a celebration of his life 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at Orono United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steven W. Smith, pastor, officiating. Interment will be at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Augusta. Those who wish to remember Peter may make gifts in his memory to the recreation program at Sylvia Ross Home, 44 Ohio St., Bangor, ME 04401 or to an animal charity of your choice. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
PETER DAVID BROWN
