Gerard Michael Brown

Gerard Michael Brown was born in Orange, NJ to Edmund G. Brown and Mae Theresa Conroy on November 3, 1942. The youngest of five siblings, his mother named him after St. Gerard, the patron saint of expectant mothers, children, and the unborn. Though to his family and later friends and colleagues, he was known as “Mickey”.

Mickey attended St. John’s School and St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ, winning two state wrestling championships and embracing the school’s core pillars of Community, Leadership, Counseling & Experiential Education. School, along with his close-knit Irish Catholic family, provided a solid foundation to support his ambitious spirit and drive for achievement. Mickey articulated his intentions early in life. At the age of 16, then a Junior in high school, Mickey wrote a school essay on his personal history and goals, and included the following: “I was just a baby with four older brothers and sisters. Observing my family situation at the age of two, I decided right then and there that my first word would be “no”. I sure wasn’t sent down here to be a servant to the economic situation of this family. I could have descended on a rich family with maids and all that, but I didn’t need that. These Browns had not yet realized how lucky they were.”

In September of 1966, within the final days of the Jersey Shore summer, Mickey met the love of his life. He married Sharon Palmere on October 19, 1968 in West Orange, NJ. Sharon was everything, and Mickey knew it. She would be by his side, cheering him on, loving and supporting him for the next 52 years. They would go on to raise three daughters together. Mickey encouraged his children to do what they loved and follow their dreams.

Mickey graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville and Seton Hall Law School, and passed the New Jersey Bar Exam in October, 1967. Prior to beginning his law career, Mickey enlisted in the Army National Guard of NJ and later served in United States Army. He was a veteran of the Viet Nam War, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Viet Nam Service Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal.

Mickey began his professional career in public service, and served in various government positions with the State of New Jersey for 12 years. He began as an Assistant Prosecutor in Essex County in 1970. He was then appointed to Deputy Attorney General, and served as Chief Trial Attorney between 1975-1979. He was promoted to Deputy Director of Operations for the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice and in 1979 served as the Chief Trial Counsel in the first casino license application hearing conducted in New Jersey. In 1980, Mickey was appointed Director of the newly formed Division of Gaming Enforcement by Governor Brendan Byrne. During his term in office, he supervised the licensing and opening of casinos and gaming companies.

Transitioning into the private sector, Mickey established a private law practice in Atlantic City, NJ and consulted on international projects in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and Australia. He concentrated on the emerging field of Native American gaming, and served as the founding Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Gaming Commission and the President & CEO of Foxwoods Resort & Casino from 1993-1997 during its initial five year development. Additionally, he served as the President & CEO of the Seneca Niagra Resort & Casino in Niagra Falls, NY from 2000-2006, followed by numerous projects in the field of Native American Gaming.

Throughout his professional career, Mickey traveled extensively and loved learning about and immersing himself in different cultures - both internationally and within US Native American tribes. He also loved to entertain and embodied a spirit of inclusion - he relished the opportunity to introduce outsiders to his passions in life. Along with his wife Sharon, he’d host family, friends and business colleagues at their home in Sea Girt and share his life - the Jersey Shore beach; tailgating and cheering on the NY Giants; sport fishing on the boat “The Verdict” he co-owned with his brother, Tom; and his favorite neighborhood bar, Rod’s Tavern. During the winter months, activities expanded to include ski trips at Okemo Mountain in Vermont.

With endeavors both personal and professional, Mickey believed in people. He was drawn to fellow underdogs, loathed injustice and inequality in any form, and valued commitment and honesty. His life centered around a commitment to and a belief in the power of friendships and relationships. He excelled at identifying gifted people and convincing them to come along for the ride. If you worked with or socialized with him consistently, you were extraordinary. He often attributed his success and happiness to the people around him.

In 2010, Mickey was retained by the Genting Group to assist in the development of Resorts World, the first New York City casino. Sadly, his professional career would soon be cut short by a stroke he suffered that year after an allergic reaction to a blood thinner used during preventative heart surgery. He was 68 years old.

Mickey’s life changed drastically, and he began a new chapter of his life with his now caretaker and constant companion, Sharon. With Sharon by his side working tirelessly to support him, he approached recovery and therapy in the same way that he had tackled all of life’s challenges, with relentless dedication and unwavering work ethic. Mickey and Sharon eventually relocated to Fort Lauderdale, FL, where they could enjoy the outdoors and sunshine year-round.

In January 2021, Mickey faced the most substantial challenge of his life when Sharon, his wife of 52 years, passed away. Life would never be the same, but Mickey persevered, continuing to live and love fiercely in Sharon’s honor. He spent the next 4 1/2 years surrounded by his children and engaged with the gift of being able to watch his grandchildren grow into young adults. Mickey was an amazing grandfather.

Mickey is preceded in death by his beloved wife Sharon Brown; and siblings Edmund Brown, Jr., Helen Sheridan, & Mary Lee Gerard.

Mickey is survived by daughters Gretchen Piskura, Kristin Brown & Tiffany Brown; brother, The Honorable Thomas C. Brown; grandchildren Luke & Sofia Piskura; and many beloved nieces & nephews and their children.

The family of Mickey wishes to extend a special thanks to Merle Pollack for her remarkable dedication and steadfast care.

Private funeral services will be held in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:30am on Saturday, October 25th at St. Mark’s Church in Sea Girt, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:

St. Benedict’s Preparatory School

Office of Advancement

P.O. Box 845320

Boston, MA 02284-5320

(Checks or money orders payable to St. Benedict’s Preparatory School)

Or via the School’s secure online giving website:

https://boostmyschool.com/benedicts