Robert F. Brown | February 17, 2017 | Obituary
Robert F. Brown
February 17, 2017 | Obituary
Robert Brown, 79, of East Greenwich, RI, formerly of Bridgewater, NJ, died February 17, 2017 at home surrounded by family. He was the husband of Elizabeth A. Brown. Robert (Bob) was born December 19, 1937 in Elizabeth, NJ to Ann M. Brown and Joseph F. Brown. Robert was preceded in death by brothers, Harold A. Brown and Edward F. Brown.
He lived in Hillside and then Scotch Plains, NJ. Bob attended HS at St. Benedict's Preparatory School, Newark, NJ. Bob received his BA in Music Ed. at The College of New Jersey where he majored in Piano and minored in Voice. He received an MA in Music Ed. from the New York University with an Emphasis on Voice and Conducting.
Bob taught music in: Sussex County, NJ Elementary Schools from 1959-60, Myrtle Avenue Jr. High School, Irvington, NJ from 1960-61, and Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, Scotch Plains, NJ, where he was the Choral Music Director from 1961-1983 and the Wind Ensemble Director, Marching Band Co-Director 1983-1992. Both the choral and the instrumental groups won many awards throughout his career. He was the Manager of the NJ All State Chorus in 1963.
Bob married Elizabeth (Betty) Ferguson, his college sweetheart in 1960. They lived in Scotch Plains, NJ until 1962 when they built a home in Bridgewater, NJ and raised their four children.
Bob sang with the Hounds for Harmony Barbershop Chorus in Plainfield, NJ for many years and shined as the baritone in the Toast of the Town Barbershop Quartet in Plainfield, NJ. He finally retired from teaching in 1992 and moved to East Greenwich, RI residing on Greenwich Bay. He stayed active in music, singing with the Providence Singers in Providence, RI and playing trumpet with the Wakefield Concert Band, Wakefield, RI until 2013.
Bob and Betty wintered during their retirement in Florida, first in Naples and more recently Marco Island. An avid bowler from his college days, throughout his teaching years and well into retirement, Bob bowled in both RI and in Marco Island. Bob leaves behind four daughters, Nancy Fairbaugh (of PA), Ellen Shanos (of RI), Carole Brown (of VA), Jennifer Jakaitis (of IL); 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and two nephews. He leaves behind a legacy of music, encouraging first his daughters and then his grandchildren to play many musical instruments and to sing wherever songs may take them.
Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, February, 19, 2017 from 4:00-6:00 pm with a Funeral Service to follow at 6:00 pm in THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Ave, Route 5, Warwick (Exit 12A on I-95). A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, February 20, 2017 at 11:30 am in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery, 6365 Post Road, North Kingstown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hope Hospice & Palliative Care of Rhode Island. 1085 North Main Street. Providence RI. 02904. HopeHospiceRI.org
Robert Brown, 79, of East Greenwich, RI, formerly of Bridgewater, NJ, died February 17, 2017 at home surrounded by family. He was the husband of Elizabeth A. Brown. Robert (Bob) was born December 19, 1937 in Elizabeth, NJ to Ann M. Brown and Joseph F. Brown. Robert was preceded in death by brothers, Harold A. Brown and Edward F. Brown.
He lived in Hillside and then Scotch Plains, NJ. Bob attended HS at St. Benedict's Preparatory School, Newark, NJ. Bob received his BA in Music Ed. at The College of New Jersey where he majored in Piano and minored in Voice. He received an MA in Music Ed. from the New York University with an Emphasis on Voice and Conducting.
Bob taught music in: Sussex County, NJ Elementary Schools from 1959-60, Myrtle Avenue Jr. High School, Irvington, NJ from 1960-61, and Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, Scotch Plains, NJ, where he was the Choral Music Director from 1961-1983 and the Wind Ensemble Director, Marching Band Co-Director 1983-1992. Both the choral and the instrumental groups won many awards throughout his career. He was the Manager of the NJ All State Chorus in 1963.
Bob married Elizabeth (Betty) Ferguson, his college sweetheart in 1960. They lived in Scotch Plains, NJ until 1962 when they built a home in Bridgewater, NJ and raised their four children.
Bob sang with the Hounds for Harmony Barbershop Chorus in Plainfield, NJ for many years and shined as the baritone in the Toast of the Town Barbershop Quartet in Plainfield, NJ. He finally retired from teaching in 1992 and moved to East Greenwich, RI residing on Greenwich Bay. He stayed active in music, singing with the Providence Singers in Providence, RI and playing trumpet with the Wakefield Concert Band, Wakefield, RI until 2013.
Bob and Betty wintered during their retirement in Florida, first in Naples and more recently Marco Island. An avid bowler from his college days, throughout his teaching years and well into retirement, Bob bowled in both RI and in Marco Island. Bob leaves behind four daughters, Nancy Fairbaugh (of PA), Ellen Shanos (of RI), Carole Brown (of VA), Jennifer Jakaitis (of IL); 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and two nephews. He leaves behind a legacy of music, encouraging first his daughters and then his grandchildren to play many musical instruments and to sing wherever songs may take them.
Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, February, 19, 2017 from 4:00-6:00 pm with a Funeral Service to follow at 6:00 pm in THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Ave, Route 5, Warwick (Exit 12A on I-95). A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, February 20, 2017 at 11:30 am in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery, 6365 Post Road, North Kingstown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hope Hospice & Palliative Care of Rhode Island. 1085 North Main Street. Providence RI. 02904. HopeHospiceRI.org
Urquhart - Murphy Funeral Home
800-812 Greenwich Avenue
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
401-737-3510