Michael Thorndike Brown

Born on Jan 21, 1953 in Winston Salem, North Carolina, Michael grew up in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

He spent his childhood summers in Camden, Maine. He graduated from Scotch Plains Fanwood High

School in 1971 and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1973 and was stationed in Lakehurst, New

Jersey. He was honorably discharged in 1978.

He had a profound interest in engineering and robotics. Between 1980 and 1982, he built his first

computer and his first remotely controlled robot: a Luden’s cough drop metal container with wheels that served as a herding device for the cat. At that time, he was a regional service technician for 711 in New Jersey, the Slurpee machine rescue hero. He was a member of Berkeley Township Underwater Search and Recovery and played on an amateur hockey league on the team “The Bad Boys”. He owned and operated several of his own businesses, ranging from computer programming/software installation to yacht repair to engineering and architecture.

In the 1990’s, he drafted and constructed the home and horse stables on 12 acres in Maysville, Georgia. This shared endeavor became Cotton Hill Farm and is still currently owned and operated by Joy Hirsch. He was an avid golfer who hosted several amateur golf tournaments in Georgia. He spent many years constructing small wooden crafts and a considerable amount of time operating his own yacht repair business off Lake Lanier. In recent years, he enrolled in several online courses through MIT.

He was proud to have mastered enough knowledge to construct his own 3D printer from scrap wood, PVC piping, used printer/computer parts and weed trimmer line. He printed several pieces and was in the process of creating a human like robot. He was self-taught in most of his interests, including his love of cooking. He wrote two books and taught himself how to play the guitar.

His love of the sea was the constant throughout his life. He became a passionate sailor, and later, drafted and built his own sailboat, "Willow," which he sailed off the Florida Keys. His passion was most evident in his beautiful paintings and drawings which have been featured in galleries in Athens, Georgia and several places in midcoast Maine. His artwork is proudly hung in his family and friends’ homes and several portraits can be seen at Sr Sol on Atlanta Highway in Athens, Georgia.

Michael will be terribly missed by his family and friends.

He is predeceased by his parents, Lois and Russell Brown.

He is survived by a daughter Heather and husband, Scott Papa, and two grandchildren, Shae and Colby Papa of Beachwood, New Jersey; a sister, Kerry and husband, Michael Albano of Lincolnville, Maine; a niece, Jennifer and wife, Melissa Albano and great-nephew Jacob Albano of Colbert, Georgia; a nephew, Michael and wife Katherine Albano of Auburn, Georgia.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 6 from 6-8 p.m. at Bernstein’s Funeral Home, 3195 Atlanta Highway, Athens, Georgia. The family welcomes all to join them to celebrate Michael’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking donations be made to:

https://www.gofundme.com/michael-t-brown-funeral-expenses .

Online condolences may be offered at www.BernsteinFuneralHome.com.

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service will be in charge of arrangements.