James N. "Brownie" Brown

We have lost our beloved Ringleader, Master of Ceremonies, Mayor of June Street and the Best Dad a girl could have with the passing of James N. “Brownie” Brown 90, a lifelong resident of Keene, NH, and most recently a resident of Keene Center Genesis, on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at the Cheshire Medical Center / Dartmouth Hitchcock, Keene.

His parents, Edward and Marjory (Mansfield) Brown, welcomed their son into the world on November 2, 1927 in Keene, NH. He grew up in Keene and attended local schools.

James proudly served his country as a veteran of the United States Airforce.

Brownie’s work career centered on truck driving, starting in 1952 with H.P. Welch Company for 17 years, then with Maislin Transport for 13 years, retiring with the Wetterau Foods in 1991. Following his retirement, Jim worked as an officer of the court with the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Department.

He was a member of the Teamster Union #633; a member of the F&AM Jerusalem Lodge #104 of Keene; a 32nd Degree Mason to the NH Chapter Consistory Valley of Nashua; the Lodge Council Valley of Keene; the Lodge of Perfection; Oriental Council of Princes of Jerusalem; St. George Chapter of Rose Croix; the Bektash Temple Shrine of NH; a member of the Provost Guard of the Temple; Past President of the Cheshire Shrine Club; a member of the Gardner (MA) Shrine Club; the Brattleboro Shrine Club; a member of AARP; the Gordon Bissell American Legion Keene Post #4; and a member of the Connecticut River Sportsman Club.

Brownie will be greatly missed by many in the area, especially his daughter, Kim E. Chaffee and her husband, Billy, of Keene; his granddaughter, Elise M. Dearth of Keene; two great grandchildren, Kasey N Dearth and Kyle W Dearth, both of Keene; a sister, Virginia Davis, of Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews along with extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Janet E. (Flavin) Brown whom he married on May 19 1956; five brothers, Paul Brown, Norman Brown, Leon Brown, Gerald Brown, Karl Brown; and three sisters, Janette Dean, Doris Farr, and Helen Watkins.

A memorial and celebration of Brownie’s life will be held on Saturday, March 31st from 1:00 to 3:00PM at the Keene Center Genesis, 677 Court Street, Keene. Burial in the West Cemetery, Keene, will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Brown’s memory to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104; or to a charity of one’s choice.