Francis K Brown

Longtime Malden resident Francis K. Brown passed away peacefully on the evening of May 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his parents Wilbur and Anne Brown, his wife of 66 years Barbara Brown (Jewell) and his grandson, 1st Lt. Scott F. Milley. Francis is also survived by his children, Karen, Dana and his wife Marie, Janice and her husband Steven, Barbara and her husband Stephen, and Francis II and his wife Theresa. Francis also leaves grandchildren: Dana Marie, Jacqueline, Steven, Ashley, Meghan, Daniel, Joseph, Francis III, Andrew, Robert, Leah and their spouses. He also leaves his great grandchildren Isabelle, Evelyn, Jacob, Beckham, Milley, Elijah, Nolan, Juliana, Ella, Madison, Wesley, Alden, Olivine, and Brown baby on the way; as well several nieces and nephews. 

Dad was born to Anne and Wilbur Brown, 1 of 8 boys, three of whom died in childbirth. Dad played football at Swampscott High School; he often talked of playing without the appropriate headgear the players of today have!  He didn’t talk much about his 0-9 senior season.  He was proud of being the first high school finisher in a BAA road race he ran.

We never met our dad’s father because he died when dad was 17; soon thereafter dad joined the US Army, spending most of his time in Europe after the Korean Conflict had ended. He loved to tell the story of his “desk” job in the army which he got because of his ability to type! While in Europe, Dad developed his love of travel, using saved up leave time to ride the trains all over.

Honorably discharged, dad returned from active duty and took advantage of the GI Bill and enrolled at Salem State. It was there that he met a senior, our mother Barbara Jewell.  Their courtship was brief and they eloped in 1956 to Seabrook N.H. It was their first of three marriages, the next two happening in a Protestant Church and the last one in a Catholic Church. The highlight of the third one is that all five children attended the ceremony at the Immaculate Conception. We have all three marriage certificates!  

Dad was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather.  He was married to the late Barbara Brown (Jewell) for 66 years.   Together they are responsible for 5 children, 12 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren. They loved to attend games, dance recitals, and awards nights.  They took each of the 12 grandchildren on a Disney trip in pods of two or three. They looked forward to a trip each year!  

Dad was a school teacher in the Malden Public Schools, spending the majority of his career at the C.W. Holmes School where he worked together with my mother for over 25 years. Their commute from Pratt Street to the Holmes School cemented their marriage it seems. In their younger years Dad and Mom operated a summer camp for Malden youth, Camp Pinecrest. Some legendary Maldonians attended or worked at the camp. As co-director dad would drive the bus, make lunches, and serve as a lifeguard. The charge was $5 per week per youngster.  Not a single kid was ever denied enrollment based on the money.  Not sure if dad ever made money.

Before dad retired from the Malden Public Schools he earned his Travel Agent Certificate. He had developed the travel bug in the army and never wavered from it. He and our mother took more than 30 cruises.  Our father also took the renowned Nana Jewell, his mother-in-law on a cruise to Bermuda when she was in her 80’s; our mother stayed behind!  What a guy!   And of course, in his first year of retirement dad took his epic freighter cruise, “serving” as one of five civilians on a cargo ship that restocked cruise ships around the world. His thirty plus day adventure was one of the highlights of his world travels.  

Dad’s other passion was cooking. He worked at the old Chickland in Saugus; some of the old timers will remember that it stood in the approximate area where LA Fitness now stands.  He also cooked for the Brothers at Malden Catholic and at the University Club in Boston. My mother never cooked a day in her life; dad’s pot roasts, turkey dinners, and soups were well known.  People requested that he make his famous watermelon fruit bowls and trifles for events.  His former Holmes students will remember that he cooked a different soup every week for the classroom; couldn’t do that today.

Dad was active in the Malden Lions Club; there he met Don Brunelli Sr.  Their friendship would lead to a lifelong bond between the Browns and the Brunellis.  Dad was a dedicated Lion and was an award winning editor for the Lion’s newsletter he produced each month. Dad was also an early Bread of Life volunteer.  The annual “Don’t be Alone on Thanksgiving Dinner” is named in honor of our mother and father for their unwavering support of the Bread of Life. They loved serving others.  

Dad was also a saved man and spent many years as a member of the Forestdale Community Church. Right up to his last weeks he would attend Church and made sure he had his check written out for the offering.  He loved his Church family.

Dad saved his best for last, living his last few decades in sobriety, due in no small part to our mother’s support and his growing faith.  

He and our mother were inseparable and as hard as he tried, he wasn’t the same without her these last 18 months.  

Dad was a sharp dresser, a suit and tie whenever possible.  He loved to dance.  His wit was quick and he had an entire comedy routine based on his hand with 4 ½ fingers. He rarely, if ever, spoke ill of anyone.  Dad was part of the family group texts right up until the end and knew his way around technology.

He was a good man.

Visitation for Francis will be held at  the Weir-MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home 144 Salem St, Malden on Tuesday May 14th from 4-8pm Services for Francis will be held on May 15th at The Forest Dale Community Church at 10 am followed by interment at Forest Dale Cemetery in Malden.

In lieu of flowers, donations in my father’s memory can be made to any of Dad’s favorite causes, Bread of Life, Forestdale Community Church, or the 1st Lt. Scott F. Milley Ranger Foundation

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Francis K Brown, please visit our floral store.