Roderick Joseph Browne

(March 19, 1922 Paradise, Placentia Bay, NL – February 3, 2019 Cambridge, ON) Passed away at the age of 96, in the presence of his loving family. Leaving to mourn his loss are his children: Garrett (Beatriz Ortiz) of Villahermosa, Mexico, Betty McDonald (Danny Coceancic) of Thunder Bay, ON, Sheila Ford (Chris) of St. John’s, NL, Philip (Sandra) of Ottawa, ON, Maureen Oliver of Nain, NL, and Elaine Browne (John McCarthy) of Cambridge, ON. Many grandchildren are left behind: Anita, Claudette, Valerie, Andrew, Jessica, Maureen, Colleen, Deane, Mike, Gregory, Rosalind, Kevin, Christopher, Roderick, Melissa, Anita, Shannon, Tarah, Laura, Lyndsey, Keila, and Nate. Also left behind are his great grandchildren Shelby, Matthew, Brandon, Emmett, Macey, Michaela, Emily, and Isabelle. His siblings who will miss him greatly are: Astrid LaPointe of Acton Vale, QC and Theresa Lake (Stanley) of Oakville, ON. Leaving also to mourn are his sisters in law, Marie Browne and Edna Browne, and brother in law Jean Paul LaChance. Roderick was predeceased by his parents William Browne and Alice Hickey, our mother Marion Browne (nee Dwyer, from Bell Island), his children David Browne, Lawrence Browne (Ann), and Keith Browne (Manuela Mateo), and his two infant children, his grandson Alan Browne, and his siblings Victoria Barnes, Alice Alden, Grace LaChance, Eric Browne, and Michael Browne. Dad was a devout Catholic, and his faith comforted him throughout the years. Later in life he could read and pray in more than one language, enjoying the challenge. Dad, who was affectionately known as Poppy or R.B. to many, enjoyed trouting, a boil up, berry picking at Bald Rock and elsewhere, snaring rabbits, hiking and was an avid reader. Rod wore a tie everywhere and had quite the collection! We have fond memories of him catching fish at Placentia some 2 hours away from the nearest road, with his tie still on. In order to pass on this love of nature to his kids, the family built a second house at Three Island Pond, and it became a second home from when school got out for the summer until late in the fall, closing down only when the pipes were in danger of freezing. Here, his children learned to swim, row a boat, walk the flume down to Topsail Beach, pick blueberries at Bald Rock, chop down trees, and cut up a lot of firewood. In later years, Dad enjoyed time at his cabin at Hell Hill Pond. Although Dad was a smart man, having skipped two different grades, and winning the Governor General’s medal for best graduating student in NL, he needed to go to work to support his family. Later in life, he finally could satisfy his yearning for an education. He started university at the age of 65, when he retired from Parker and Monroe in St. John’s. He proudly graduated with a degree in French from Memorial University in St. John’s. After graduating he took extra courses in Quebec City and the Sorbonne in France. Even at his advanced age, he could recite poetry from his school days. Rod wanted to make education more accessible for others and he started the Marion & Rod Browne Family Memorial Scholarship based on academics in French. While Dad was very frugal with himself, he was very generous to his family, the needy, and many charities. As well, he contributed generously in the support of the Catholic Church and supported 9 children through the Foster Parents Plan of Canada. He travelled to many far-off places: Europe, South America, and Mexico, using the Spanish he had studied in University, and polishing it while travelling. The highlight of his travel was the Oberammergau Passion Play which is held every 10 years in Oberammergau, Germany. Dad was a life long blood donor to the Canadian Red Cross. Rod lived a long, good life but it was too short for those who loved him. We are certain that when St. Peter met our Dad at the pearly gates, with Dad’s loved ones happily waiting for his arrival, St. Peter announced “the gentleman is home”. We are only beginning to understand how profound this loss will be. We were loved by him and we loved him, and we shall miss him everyday till the end of our life. RIP Dad, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather! Resting at Caul’s Funeral home at 84 LeMarchant Rd in St. John’s. Visitation from 2-4 and 7-9 on Sunday February 10, 2019. Burial mass at the Basilica of St. John’s the Baptist will be at 9:30 on Monday, February 11, 2019. Interment at Gates of Heaven RC Cemetery in Southlands. Please visit www.cauls.ca to sign the memorial guest book or to leave a message of condolences.