Harold F. Brown

Brown, Harold Frederick (Hal), age 75 of Sarasota, Florida died Sunday September 5, 2010 at home. He was the husband of Sue B Brown. They had just celebrated their fifteenth wedding anniversary. Hal fought cancer for three years prior to his death and was respected by friends and family for the courageous and upbeat attitude he had about his disease.

Hal was born in Newton Massachusetts and is a graduate of Riverside Country Day School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Brown University in 1957.

Hal worked in the insurance business in Hartford, CT and relocated to Chattanooga TN after being offered a job with Provident Life and Accident in 1971. Hal left insurance to start Splendid Printing in 1979, an on going concern still operated by Hal’s son Rick. After retiring from printing Hal relocated to Sarasota FL in 2003 but continued to dabble in various businesses including online merchandise arbitrage and professional pool care.

Hal was known for his love of pets, he was particularly fond of cats. Hal has been serially “owned” by Hope, Butterscotch and Precious, and he often visited local shelters and pet stores. An enthusiast of interspecies’ relationships, Hal also at one time maintained a fully stocked Koi pond.

Tennis was a big part of Hals life and how he met his wife Sue. Hal played at Manker Patton and the Racket Club in Chattanooga, and at the Bath and Racquet in Sarasota, FL. Hal Played a weekly foursome every Monday morning at 8AM as recently as ten months ago.

Hal was also a lifelong angler and an avid small old boat collector.

After Hal had been diagnosed with cancer, he started the “Hal Report” newsletter to keep friends and family up to date on his condition. Eventually, the Hal Reports started to contain notes about Hal’s life, always with a humorous and upbeat take on his situation. The Hal Reports ended with a pay it forward message as in:

“And don’t forget to say something nice to a stranger or two each week. You will both benefit greatly!”

Hal is survived by his wife Sue B. Brown of Sarasota, brother Roger Brown of Glastonbury, CT, sons Cliff Brown of Alpharetta, GA and Rick Brown of Chattanooga TN, Stepchildren Sandra McAllister of Needham, MA, Scott McAllister of Grand Rapids Michigan, Stacy Robinson of Greenville, SC, grandchildren, Harrison and Chris Brown of Alpharetta, GA, and Christine, Jacqueline, Christian, Grace and David Brown of Chattanooga, step grandchildren Amanda and Rachel Robinson of Greenville SC, Joshua, Madison, and Scout McAllister, JoBeth and Eddie Bouwens of Grand Rapids, MI and Precious Kat of Sarasota, FL

Hal wished that he be cremated and that his ashes be scattered at Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota FL, and buried with his parents in Newton Cemetery in Newton MA. A brief graveside service is to be held at Newton Cemetery on October 2nd at 11AM. The service will be officiated by Hal’s sister in law, Rev. Sally D. Brown.

It is the family's wish that memorial donations be directed to support cancer research in the laboratory of Dr. Sandra McAllister, Hal's step-daughter. Checks may be drawn to Brigham and Women's Hospital and sent to the following address: Development Office, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 116 Huntington Avenue, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02116. Kindly include a notation that the gift is in memory of Harold F. Brown, Jr.

Arrangements under the direction of National Cremation and Burial Society, Sarasota, FL.