Joseph C. Brown, Sr.

Joseph C. (Joe) Brown Sr., 89, passed away peacefully at home on August 8, 2013 surrounded by his family. He was born on August 26, 1923 in Ahoskie, North Carolina to Joseph Henry Brown and Mary Barker Brown. Raised on a tobacco farm during the Great Depression, he served his country when called upon during the Second World War. He trained with the 86th Division and fought in the European Theatre as a sergeant in the 95th Division, 378th Infantry. As a member of the 95th Division, “Iron Men of Metz,” he participated in the liberation of France from Nazi rule and the Battle of the Bulge. Joe was wounded in battle and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

During the war he met the love of his life, Anne Stassinos Brown (“Snooks”). She was working for the USO as he began his military service; it was love at first sight. They wed on July 11, 1945 and spent 68 happy years together. They were blessed with four sons.

Joe enjoyed a successful career in the construction business, working for a number of companies, including Haycox Construction. He and son Joe Brown Jr. founded Beach Building Corporation in 1971 and he later founded Brown Building Corporation in 1984 with Ronnie and David. He passed on his knowledge of the business, and they continue to lead his company today.

Joe was always driven to give back to his community, and along the way served as past president of Oceana Lions Club in which he was a Melvin Jones Fellow, served as past president of the Princess Anne Ruritan Club, served as past president and director of the Tidewater District AGC, was a member of the American Legion post no. 0113 and Thalia Methodist Men’s Club.

Joe was also a great lover of nature and animals and could always be found in his backyard feeding the squirrels, ducks, and raccoons.

He is predeceased by son Richard “Reb” Brown and is survived by his wife Anne, sons Joe and wife Martha, Ronnie and wife Jacquelina, David and wife Rosemary, their children Lauren, David and Nicholas.

Joe will be greatly missed by his many friends and family and will be remembered for his wit, humor, compassion, and love of country. His family would especially like to thank his dedicated team of caregivers: nurses Dorothea, Mae, Jean, Sandra and Sally, and Dr. Steve Warden and Dr. Jesse Broome for their excellent and compassionate care over the past year.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, August 13th from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 14th at 2:00 p.m. at Thalia United Methodist Church, 4321 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA. The burial will follow the service at Rosewood Memorial Park. A reception will be held in the social hall at Thalia United Methodist Church following the burial. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Virginia Beach SPCA. Online condolences can be made at kellumfuneralhome.com