Ronald Gary Browning

Ronald Gary Browning, 75, of Havre de Grace, Maryland went to be with the Lord, on December 12, 2024. Ronald was born on November 3, 1949 in Essex, Maryland, son of the late William James and Grace Pattie Browning. He graduated from Kenwood High School in 1967. He worked at McDonald’s from 1967 -1971 while he attended college obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in History, Social Studies, Education and Spanish Language in 1971 from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree (1974) and Master’s Degree (1976) from Towson State University in Geography and Urban Planning and was working on a Bachelor’s degree in African-American Studies from Towson State University.

Ron traveled throughout the United States with his family during his younger years and then to many different countries with his brother Robert in the 1970’s.

Ronald’s professional and personal endeavors include: serving on the Essex-Middle River Jaycees in the 1970’s; teaching for the Baltimore County Public School system from 1971-2002, subjects including U.S. and world history, social studies, geography, archaeology and Spanish; teaching similar courses at the Community College of Baltimore County from 1985-2020; serving on the Harford County Public Schools Board of Education in 2011; writing a column for the Record Newspaper from 2005-2020; and working for Sunset Hills Foliage from 2006-2020.

Ronald lived in Essex before moving to Middle River in the 1970’s, Aberdeen in the 1980’s and finally settling in Havre de Grace in the 1990’s. His love for Havre de Grace (HDG) and the rich history of the town was evident in his pursuits and activities.

Ronald established and worked on the HDG Mardi Gras parade with Bridgette Peters. He was the owner of Eclections, an antique store in HDG and Olney from 1983-1999 and the owner of La Cle D’or Guesthouse, a bed and breakfast in HDG from 1996-2019. He was Chairman of the HDG Historic Preservation Commission from 1997 – 2020 and volunteered with the HDG Tourism. He was the original volunteer with the HDG Visitor Center and enjoyed decorating their tree with seasonal and holiday themed decorations throughout the year.

Inspired by the Boston Freedom Trail, Ronald proposed the idea of the Lafayette Trail to the HDG city government. The Lafayette Trail is a 3-mile loop through the city, designated by bronze medallions in the sidewalk and signs posted along the way. Ronald worked with Robert Eugene Greene and Elwood “Woody” Stark to establish the Historic HDG Foundation in 2018 in which Ronald served as the President until his death. Ronald gifted the La Cle D’or property to the foundation.

Ronald advocated a “John O’Neill Day” to the HDG city government, in recognition of Mr. O’Neill’s heroic acts on the morning of May 3, 1813 when British forces attacked HDG and in celebration of Mr. O’Neill being the first keeper of the Concord Point Lighthouse. Ronald was also instrumental in helping to establish the local historic district and he encouraged and promoted the adoption of the Moore Family Homestead by the HDG city government for Mr. George Barry Burns, the last owner of the property. He composed and established several historical markers in HDG with the Maryland Historical Trust and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. He loved sharing his knowledge of HDG by conducting numerous historic walking tours of the city.

Ronald is survived by his sisters Jeanette Browning and Deborah Browning, sister-in-law Jean Browning, maternal aunts Irma Harding, Joan Harding, and Daisy Cruz as well as many other family members and friends. Ronald was predeceased by his father William James Browning, mother Grace Pattie Browning and brother Robert Alan Browning.

A memorial service for Ronald will be held Monday, December 30, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at MMP, Inc., 7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075.