WILTON – Earle (Kip) Clifton Brown Jr., 86, died on Sunday morning, Nov. 11, 2012, at his residence in Wilton.
He was born on March 8, 1926 in Wilton, the son of Earle C. And Ruie (Black) Brown Sr. He attended schools in East Wilton and Wilton Academy. He served his country in the U.S. Navy.
He married Marie Luger on Aug. 18, 1947 in Wilton. In the 1950s he worked at Forster Mfg. and in the ’60s as a road foreman for the town of Wilton. In 1970, he went to work at G. H. Bass Shoe Mfg and retired from there in 1987.
He liked to ride his ATV and go snowmobiling and was a member of the Woodland Wanderers Snowmobile Club. He enjoyed cutting firewood, listening to country music and spending time at Kip’s camp on David Pond.
He is survived by; his wife of 65 years, Marie Brown of Wilton; four sons, Bruce Brown and wife Anita Toscano of Haverhill, Mass., Dennis Brown and wife Maxine of Wilton, Barry Brown and wife Avis of Wilton, Eric Brown and wife Kelley of Wilton; one daughter, Joyce Stinchfield of Wilton; 10 grandchildren, Shelley Jackson and husband James of North Carolina, Vicki Henderson and husband Stacy of North Carolina, Susan Stinchfield of Wilton, Nate Brown and wife Debbie of Florida, Ben Brown and wife Jen of Texas, Matt Brown and wife Liza of Philippines, Mike Brown and wife Becky of Industry, Bethany Brown of Portland, Allison Brown of Amherst, Mass. and Kristen Brown of Wilton; 10 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
Donations in Earle’s memory may be made to the Woodland Wanderers Snowmobile Club, PO Box 638, Wilton, ME 04294 or to the Wilton Food Pantry, PO Box 517, Wilton, ME 04294.
Public memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dan & Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington. Interment at the East Wilton Cemetery will be held at a later date.
I’m so sorry to hear this news! Kip ‘s family and mine camped every summer when I was growing up at Reid State Park in one huge tent, there were 10 of us, it was truly a sight. So many fun memories and a year or two before I lost my Dad our two families gathered at Reid once again to reminisce. I am so thankful we did that! I will never forget Kip’s laugh, he always had a twinkle in his eyes and never missed an opportunity to tease. From allowing himself to be pinched by live crabs, to he and my Dad making the best Home Brew ever, our families were educated in novel ways and entertained always. My love to Marie and the whole Brown family. I will never forget Kip. He will always have a special place in my heart.
How very sad to read of Kip’s passing. When I think of Kip, I think snowmobile club. I believe it was he who would put hot dogs and boiling water into a thermos, put hot dog rolls in tin foil and put those next to his sled’s engine, so that when we took a rest stop, he could have hot dogs in hot rolls. Mainers ware SO CLEVER !!! He was also part of the club when I was going through cancer treatment 13 years ago. On our club outings,the restaurants would give us a separate room ,and everyone brought jokes to tell, since they knew it was part of my “humor therapy.”We got to laughing so hard, even the folks in the rest of the restaurant commented on what a nice atmosphere it created. I like to think that Kip and Marie, Eric, Kelley and the girls are part of why I am still here today. A whole family of generous people, doing volunteer work above and beyond the call of duty so that not only snowmobilers, but cross country skiiers and MOOSE could benefit from groomed trails, every day. I was surprised to learn that the night groomers carry chain saws, not just for clearing downed branches, but also to drive the moose off the trail.( It’s much easier for them to walk on then the deep snow.) We had so many great times together, Kip will be missed by us for a long, long time….
Love to the Family,
Marni Lawson
Marie, Eric and Kelley, Words can’t describe what a loss we all feel. Side by side we formed The Woodland Wanderers Snowmobile Club way back in the 70’s, built bridges over and over, swamped and groomed trails, pleaded with landowners, and then enjoyed so very many great memories. Though I am down here in Smithfield, those old times are very close in my heart. My best to all your great family.
I was very fortunate to be a neighbor of Kip and Marie for a few years.They were great friendly neighbors.I always rember Kip loading up his truck this time of year with the trail marking signs for the snowmobile club.Thats what he did to get out and enjoy the outdoors.He had to be a great assett to the club.I know he had a good life.WE will miss a very good man.Love-Russ,Cheryl,Kelly+Shanna Moody