Irvin G. Brown Jr., Retired E.I. Dupont Employee; Retired Gloucester City Volunteer Fireman
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Irvin G. “Brownie” Brown Jr., a retired E.I. DuPont employee and a retired
longtime volunteer firefighter died Tuesday of COPD, chronic lung disease (Sept 13). He was 75 and was a lifelong resident of Gloucester City, NJ.
Brownie was a 1960 graduate of Gloucester City High School where he played end on the football team and also was on the track team. He worked at E.I. DuPont’s Deepwater, NJ facility for 35 years as a pipefitter, retiring in 1998. He also served as a volunteer firefighter in Gloucester City with the Highland Park Volunteer Fire Company #3 and the Ambulance Squad for 35 years. For many of those years, he served as the engine company’s chief.
“Irv Brown, a man of many names: ‘Irv,’ ‘Irvin,’ ‘Brownie,’ ‘Brown,’ and one of my favorites, ‘Swerving Irvin,’” said lifelong friend Gary Marcucci, “I am proud to be one of those Irv used to include in what he called ‘ The Castle Crowd’ and I hope we will all have an opportunity to visit there one day. We have many mementos that sprung from his talent with stained glass. It will help to always keep him in our thoughts. Oh, one more name for Irv Brown - friend!”
Marcucci’s wife Phyllis said, “I didn't meet Irv until after he and Charlotte were married and they invited Gary and me to dinner at their house. I remember being so nervous at the beginning of the evening and so comfortable and made welcome at the end of it. That's how Irv always made me feel; welcome and comfortable in his company.”
Bill Tourtual, who graduated with Brown recalled, “Irv, was the type of person who was always there to help you no matter what you asked, and that's what I will miss. I lost another great friend and a very generous man.”
"Fifty-three years ago we had to choose a Best Man for our wedding. We would guess this could become a difficult choice for some. Lucky for us we had a dear friend, a beloved cousin and the best person that we knew for this responsibility." said Bob Straub. His wife Lillian added, “Irv will always be our ‘Best Man.’"
Brownie was a man who thoroughly enjoyed his retirement, according to family members. He loved traveling with “the love of his life,” attending family events, spending time with his grandchildren, watching sporting events, and spending time with all his friends and family at Shellbay Campground. He was accomplished in working with stained glass, often giving his work away to friends.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Gloucester City. For more than 20 years he was a member of the Larry Pusey Memorial Award Committee.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, the former Charlotte Longano; a daughter, Lisa Brown; a son, David Brown (Leslie); five grandchildren, Samantha and Joshua Dobleman and Hannah, Abigail and Luke Brown; two great-grandchildren, Mason and Chase; a sister, Diana Raroha and four nieces, Susan Nicolella, Tina Accaardi, Beth Correll and Karen Warner.
Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Saturday, September 17, 2016, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at St. Mary’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth St., Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Mass of Christian Burial 12:30 PM in the church. Interment will be private in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chews Landing.
Contributions may be made to the St. Mary’s R.C. Church Debt Fund, at the above church address. Please memo: Irvin G. Brown, Jr.
Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Irvin G. Brown, Jr. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City. Ph: 856-456-1142
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