Obituary: CDR. James B. Brown, 91, WWII Veteran, Naval Aviator

CDR James B. Brown, 91, USN Ret. of Wickford, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, January 10, 2016. He was the husband of the late Caroline C. (Collier) Brown. Born in Woodstown, NJ, he was a son of the late Sherwin B. Brown and Lillian L. (Smith) Brown.

Like so many of his generation, Mr. Brown enlisted in the Navy as a teenager to serve in WWII. He then graduated from the U.S.Naval Academy in 1949 and was a Naval Aviator until his retirement in 1967 from the USS Essex at Quonset Point, RI.

Active in his community, he was a member of the North Kingstown School Committee, NK Town Council, volunteer for LINKS, member of the NK Republican Town Committee, and a member of the Wickford Yacht Club. He was the former manager of the Bonnet Shores Beach Club and worked for McKay’s Front Porch in North Kingstown.

He leaves his loving children: Mark M. Brown and his wife Molly of New York, NY, Robert S. (Win) Brown and his wife Kathleen, and Cameron C. Brown of Wickford. He was the father of the late LT James B. Brown, Jr. and Bruce D. Brown. He was the cherished grandfather of Sarah C. Brown of Norwalk, CA, Henry H. and Oscar B. Brown of New York, NY, Catherine C. and Kelsey M. Brown of Wickford and ENS Bradley S. Brown of Oakland, CA. He was the brother of R. Keith Brown of San Marcos, TX, and the late Sherwin B. Brown, Jr. and Patricia Duncan. He also leaves his partner of twenty years Betty Wagner, of Warwick, RI.

His kindness, sincerity, fairness, integrity and honor will be greatly missed.

His funeral and burial with full military honors in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery will be private. A memorial gathering at the Wickford Yacht Club will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 1pm, 165 Pleasant Street, Wickford, RI, and all are welcome. Calling hours are respectfully omitted.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory to the VFW, 406 West 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111, Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main St. Providence, RI 02904 or a charity of your choosing will be appreciated.

Arrangements have been entrusted to THE CRANSTON-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME of WICKFORD.