Obituary of Roger Brown

Brown, Douglas “Roger”- Our hearts are broken to announce the passing of our Husband, Dad, and Grampa, Douglas Roger Brown, on Monday, December 9, 2024, at the age of 78. Younger son of Edith, Roger was born in Toronto, Ontario on August 28, 1946. You all knew him for his smile, his humour, his friendship, and his service. But we who knew him best, knew him for his love of his family. After a short illness, Roger passed away in the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative care unit with his wife Dawn of 56 ½ years by his side, surrounded by the love of his family. He will be deeply missed by his wife Dawn, daughter Kim, son Greg and Allison, and grandsons Ian, Will, and David. At the young age of 18, he left Toronto and his mom and stepdad, John to travel by train to Cornwallis, Nova Scotia to join the Royal Canadian Navy, proudly serving his country in the Regular Force for 25 years, and continuing his service in the Reserve force and the Cadet cadre for another 19 years for a total of 44 years of service. Upon receiving his 42year Canadian Forces Decoration (CD), the Admiral commented he had never presented a CD for longer service. Roger was also awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for contribution to Canada. Throughout his years in the Navy, he served on 10 Royal Canadian Naval ships, living in Shelburne NS, Halifax NS, and Victoria BC, as well as in Ottawa, ON, serving at NDHQ (National Defence Headquarters) and instructing at the Canadian Forces Fleet School in Halifax. Following retirement, he owned one of the first Nova Scotia WeedMan franchises and also drove a school bus for the Chignecto Central Regional School Board for 10 years. Roger was the biggest supporter of his kids, volunteering over the years as a Beaver, Cub, and Scout leader, a youth minor baseball coach and umpire, and a board member at Sackawa Canoe Club. He got his bus driver’s license to drive the Dartmouth Boys’ Pipe band bus, when Greg was a member, and was a chaperone for many rugby and sport trips. After his volunteer years for his kids, he continued to work with youth; volunteering as a Sunday School teacher at Trinity United Church as well as serving for many years as a Cadet leader for the Admiral Murray Cadet Corp and as a cadet camp leader in Cornwallis and Greenwood for a number of summers. He also volunteered on the Festival of the Tartans Committee, with the St. Andrew’s Society, and on the Auxiliary of the Abercrombie Fire Department, where he served a term as President. Roger belonged to the Masonic order, progressing through many levels of Masonry including Master Mason of the Albion Lodge #5 and he enjoyed visiting Masonic Lodges around the world, during his time in the Navy. He was also a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 34, New Glasgow, as well as a very active member of the Royal Canadian Naval Association ,Admiral Murray Branch and he loved going for breakfast with the men offering definite opinions on local, national, and global affairs. With the arrival of his three grandsons, Roger’s time and focus shifted to the boys – following their school, musical, and sports activities. With Dawn, he never missed a concert, a graduation, or a performance. He could be found on the deck of the canoe club, shouting for Ian racing kayaks, on the bleachers watching Will’s and David’s hockey games, or on the side of the field, cheering Will’s or David’s football games. And when he couldn’t be there in person, he was watching livestreams on his iPad. Roger also loved to cook, bake, and decorate. Roger is also survived by sister-in-law Lynn and Barry, nieces Allison and Ashley and nephews Jeffrey and Darryl Brown, extended family, friends, and neighbours. He was pre-deceased by grandparents, Edith and Richard Coward, his mom, Edith Brown and stepdad John, his brother Cliff and sister-in-law Diane Brown, parents-in-law Donald and Nancy MacDonald and brother-in-law Joe MacDonald. Our family sends special thanks to the 4th floor medical team and the Palliative Care Team at the Aberdeen Hospital, heartfelt appreciation to the Pictou County VON, and sincere gratitude to the Sobeys Westside Pharmacy team. Kim and Greg are sending hugs to 3 special ladies, Shawna, Mel, and Sharon for supporting Mom during Dad’s last days in the hospital. Visitation to take place Tuesday December 17 from 6-9pm and the funeral on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 1:00 pm with reception to follow at the H.W. Angus Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Honorary Pall Bearers are Gerald Delorey, Barry Gerrard, Hugh Muir, and Roger Swarbrick. Family flowers only. Donations may be made to the Pictou County VON or your favourite charity. But most especially, Roger would hope that you remember him with a kind gesture or by hugging your family tight. angusfuneralhomes.com