Obituary of Robert L. Brown

Robert L. Brown, a resident of Fishkill, entered into rest Thursday, February 21, 2013 at his home. He was 80. Son of the late George L. and Susan E. Harvey Brown, he was born December 8, 1932 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. On November 30, 1953, he married the former Rita Gagne at Notre Dame Church in Pittsfield. Mrs. Brown survives at home in Fishkill. Bob proudly served his country in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1956. He went on to work for IBM, retiring as a Customer Service Manager in the Poughkeepsie Office. He was also president of the Jaycee's in Endicott. While his children were growing up, he was a manager and coach for Little League in Fishkill. Bob was a very active and devoted member of the Free Masons, beginning as a member of De Molay. He went on to hold offices in Poughkeepsie Lodge #266, Royal Arch Masons #172, King Solomon's Council #31 of Cryptic Masons, Poughkeepsie Commandery #43, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Knights of the York Cross of Honor, Tri Po Bed Grotto and Order of the Eastern Star. In addition to his wife of fifty-nine years, he is survived by his children, Stephen R. Brown and his wife, Joann of Eastchester, Leonard J. Brown and his wife, Cindy of Omaha, Nebraska and Linda L. Brown of North Salem; his grandchildren, Gregory and wife Jennifer Brown, Jessica and husband, Jonathan Silberlicht, Alicia Brown, Erick and wife, Colleen Brown, Daniel Brown and Andrew Brown; and his great-grandchildren, Owen and Abigail Brown and Julia Brown. Family will receive friends on Sunday, February 24, 2013 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 25 at the funeral home with Pastor Bob Hargraves officiating. Interment will follow in Fishkill Rural Cemetery, Route 9, Fishkill. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bob's name may be made to the Masonic Brotherhood Fund, 71 West 23rd Street, Room 1819, New York, NY 10010 or to the American Cancer Society, Memorial Processing Center, 6725 Lyons Street, East Syracuse, NY 13057. For directions or to send the family a personal condolence please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.