Robert Bruce Brown, of Pawleys Island, S.C., formerly of Duxbury, Mass. and Nobleboro, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019 at the age of 86. Born on Feb. 7, 1933, Bruce was born and raised in Scarsdale, N.Y. He was the son of Robert and Marion Brown. He graduated from St. Francis College in Loretto, Penn. in 1956. After graduation, he was accepted into the United States Marine Corps Officer program and served in the Reserves for many years and was honorably discharged as a major. After the Marine Corps, Bruce worked as a sales executive in the automotive leasing industry.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Joan (Mann) Brown; and his four children, Margaret Brook (Timothy) of Duxbury, Mass., Robert Brown of Pawleys Island, S.C., Christine Anderson (Dennis) of Newcastle, and Alicia Haley (Stephen) of Naperville, Ill. Bruce is also survived by 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; as well as a sister, Maureen Vinton (Thomas) of Eastchester, N.Y. and a brother, Brian (Shelia) of Bainbridge Island, Wash.; and his dear sister-in-law Dianne Sexton (George) of Essex, Conn.
After retiring, Bruce was an active volunteer for many community causes. He served on the finance committee of Holy Family Church in Duxbury, Mass. and St. Patrick’s in Newcastle. He was a 4th degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Assembly which he served both as a Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. He was certified as a Master Gardener at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, S.C., where he was a long-time volunteer and served on the president’s council.
Bruce had a life-time love of sailing and spent many wonderful hours sailing the Long Island Sound, Duxbury Bay, and Johns Bay in Pemaquid. Most recently, he served as a volunteer in the Coast Guard Auxiliary patrolling the inter-coastal waterways in South Carolina.
Bruce was a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be remembered for his genuine love of others, selflessness, faith, and never-failing humor. We are all better to have had him in our lives.
His family thanks the staff of Amedisys Hospice for the care and compassion they provided.
The family received friends at Goldfinch Funeral Home Pawleys Chapel on Aug. 23. A funeral mass was held at Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church on Aug. 24. The service was followed by a reception in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Father Pat’s Kitchen, Precious Blood of Christ Church 1633 Waverly Rd., Pawleys Island, SC 29585.
There is a guestbook at goldfinchfuneralhome.com.
Interment will be in private at Mayflower Cemetery in Duxbury, Mass.
Goldfinch Funeral Home, Litchfield/Pawleys Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
