Brown, Francis X. Frank of Scituate, formerly of Arlington, passed away peacefully July 7 at 84. Beloved husband of Mary (Farrell) Brown with whom he shared 55 years of marriage. Loving father of Christine Ball and her husband Michael, Thomas Brown and his wife Kim, Kevin Brown and his wife Cindy, and Carolyn Regan and her husband Mark. Cherished Papa of Michael, Devin, Liam, Juliet, Katelynn, Kyle, Henry, Madeline, Delaney, Maggie & Daniel. Brother of Diane Harlow, Judy Smulski, David, William, and Susan Brown, and the late Doris Birchall and Jeffrey Brown. He and his family lived in Arlington for more than 35 years, moving to Scituate in 2000.
A graduate of Suffolk University, Frank worked for many years at Western Electric in Watertown then went on to run his own real estate appraisal business. Frank especially loved his summers in Scituate where he found his passion to volunteer, including past president, at the Scituate Beach Association for 40 years. Frank enjoyed winters in Pompano Beach, FL where he made wonderful friends. Frank’s true calling was in hosting innumerable gatherings where his love of cooking shined; his Wampatuck Ave door was always open. Sincere appreciation to Jacob Soumerai, M.D. and the MGH staff for their amazing dedication and care.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary of the Nativity Church, 1 Kent St., Scituate on Monday, July 13 at 10:00 AM; burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Frank may be made in support of the Mass General Center for Lymphoma..
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TRIBUTE TO DAD
These past few summers, when dad was not feeling his best, I would often call him to see if he wanted to come over for coffee on the porch. It is these quiet mornings - that would sometimes span into afternoons - where we'd sit and talk about the things he loved the most - family first, his lifelong friends, and, of course, food. These three things weave the story of dad's life.
Born to an Irish mother, Ethel, and a Belgian father, Frank, in - as my father would joke - an 18 room estate in Jamaica Plain. He'd quickly fill in that it was a triple decker, three family. Dad had fond memories growing up there, often jumping from floor to floor. When one of the other families were the first to get a tv, well that became the home away from home. The oldest of eight, dad was quickly followed by Doris, Judy, Diane, David and Jeff. When dad was 18, my grandfather's job had the family move to what at the time was the "country", Bedford, where dad's last two siblings were born: Billy and Susan. Dad's father loved to cook, especially recipes from Belgium - and bonding over that - and dad's realization that food brought people together, his love of cooking began.
Dad was privileged to go away to high school, boarding at beautiful Miramar in Kingston. It was here he not only got an amazing academic education, but his faith in God deepened. Also after high school his friend crew came up with a great idea - to impress the ladies they would take dance lessons and so he and five buddies went to Arthur Murray Dance Studio.
Dad started work at Western Electric in Watertown. Here he made a great friend, Red McGrail, and they would take on the town together. Often when they were out they'd run into one of Red's North Cambridge classmates, a redhead named Mary. The one thing mom noticed about dad when she saw him at the City Club - boy, could he dance! Those dance lessons paid off. Frank asked the beautiful Mary Farrell out on a first date in October '61 and they dated for a few years. It wasn't until my mother traveled to Europe for six weeks in '64, when upon her return Frank asked her to marry him... and so it was on July 31, 1965 the Brown family set roots in Arlington. Christine was born less than a year later in '66, Tommy in '67, Kevin in '68 and, saving the best for last, I came along in '70. My dad's favorite family activities included boating the Charles River in our cabin cruiser or summer meetups with our closest friends, the Cleveland Delaneys.
My father and mother loved their families. We grew up surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins. Sunday dinners, holiday feasts with tables lined for miles, big life events. The fondest, funnest were Christmas Eves spent at Shawnee Road. My father would lord over the kitchen - platters of food from roasts to sides - and drinks flowing. He loved greeting everyone whether cousins we haven't seen for a while, or new boyfriends or girlfriends. The laughs and love lasted for days.
Their social life in Arlington centered around the crew we affectionately call the Cambridge Crowd, The gatherings were endless, celebrating life milestones and small social fun. My mom and dad loved to throw cocktail parties with my mom getting the house ready and my father cooking appetizers and prepping the pitcher of Manhattans. An early memory I have is being woken up by my parents saying good night to Tass & Carol, Geri & Charlie, and Wilma & Franny. Right as I started to drift asleep I hear, "Mare, how 'bout one song on the piano?" I snuck downstairs to watch my mom start to play, everyone singing at the top of their lungs and my dad grabbing one more drink for everyone.
In 1977 we were blessed when my parents were able to buy a summer house for $42,000 - 44 Wampatuck Ave. It was here we saw not only my dad relax, but embrace open door living. Literally, our door was never locked. Wampatuck Ave would give my father the first of his friends-turned-family in meeting the Hamels and the Carneys right on the street.
Eventually dad found his way to the Scituate Beach Association where he and his crew - Papa Geno, Bill Carney, and Kevin McNiff, to name a few - would help run events for more than 20 years, from dances to Irish nights to pancake breakfasts. Dad loved this place because it brought together people he loved of all generations, a place for him to show off his cooking craft, and socializing every weekend.
Our Wampatuck Ave house was always full of my siblings and our friends as well - everyone was welcome. Dad's happiest days were hosting Reuben night for friends around the table, turkeys cooked on the Weber grill or making sandwiches with his very own deli slicer. Dad could get grumpy about messes left behind or too-long showers but you can bet every weekend, when the house burst with friends again, the "magic fridge" would be full of beer, the shelves were stocked with food, and he'd have breakfast and coffee ready to go.
These are all amazing aspects of my dad. However, it was 1998 when the truest name my father's been called came to exist - Papa. With eleven grandchildren coming in less than six years, Dad shined in this role. He was a master babysitter, walker, then chauffeur, and, of course, chef. The best would be a summer Saturday morning when all of a sudden the phone would ring, saying, "Papa, are the pancakes on today?" And Papa would respond, "Come and get them!" The grandkids would show up on bikes or dropped in cars and he'd deliver made-to-order favorite pancakes. We were blessed five years ago to take this 21-person crew on a Bermuda cruise celebrating mom and dad's 50th anniversary and 80th birthdays. This we have with us forever.
These past few years were hard for us and, of course, for him - but he wouldn't give up, He built a close relationship with his young oncologist, Jake Soumerai. Building rapport as only dad can do with any stranger he meets, Jake witnessed dad's love of us, mom, and his grandchildren. He knew dad was a fighter and partnered with him. We believe we would have lost dad years ago without the gift of Jake.
Dad couldn't fathom leaving us and wasn't ready to let the good times stop. He wanted to make one more batch of chicken marsala, try a new appetizer to share at Sullivan's Thursday night cocktail gathering, or make something simple for him and mom. He fought hard and his will was strong, but dad's body was so tired... Although his leaving is hard for us, we will meet again and I know dad will have a feast ready for each of us. As mom said to dad last week, "I love you, Frank. And I will see you soon."
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