Matthew was born on February 17, 1988. He was the beloved son of Thomas K. Brown, Sr. and Susan Rice Brown of South Portland and attended South Portland schools.
Matthew was born with Spina Bifida and was a paraplegic. He played Challenger Baseball, organized through the little league in Portland. Matt had fun attending Pine Tree Camp, a camping experience for special needs children and adults. He especially enjoyed interacting with the camp counselors.
Matthew was an enthusiastic participant in Special Olympics throughout middle school both locally and in the state games. He earned many medals for wheelchair racing and throwing. He was a friend to all his teammates and other participants he met. Due to health issues he spent time on pediatrics P2 and later at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center. Many of the nurses, residents and doctors, therapists, unit secretaries, child life staff, housekeeping staff and others became friends and very special to him. Matt was on the Children’s Miracle Network local broadcast (WGME) to benefit Maine Medical Center’s Pediatric Unit for several years. After aging out of BBCH he developed other such friendships more recently on Richards 4. Matthew also took part in activities of the Spina Bifida Association of Maine (later associating with the Spina Bifida Association of New England).
Matthew was a baseball enthusiast and enjoyed watching games on television, at Hadlock Field and other venues. He visited Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium and Turner Field for games. He enjoyed wearing his Yankee hat and shirt to doctor’s appointments (Red Sox fans) “to get their goat.” His real favorite team however was the Atlanta Braves and he got the opportunity, through The Kid’s Wish Network, to fly to Atlanta, go on the field during batting practice and meet a number of the players and coaches. Some he met were John Smolts, Terry Pendleton, Brian McCann and Bobby Cox among others.
Matthew is survived by his parents, his brother Thomas K. Brown, Jr. of Portland, Maine, sister, Sabrina Elizabeth Joy (Brown) Mitchell and nieces, Lilie and Madelynn of Bingham, Maine, Aunts Sally Newell of Richmond, Maine and Shirley Minster of Dowling Park, Florida. Uncle and Aunt, Keith and Judy Brown of Davis, California and several cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 18, 2020 followed by visiting together until 4:00 PM. Refreshments will be available after the service. This will take place at our home at 44 Robert Mills Road, South Portland, ME.
Burial will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Matthew asked that donations be made to:
Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital
Philanthropy Department
22 Bramhall Street
Portland, Maine 04102
Donations can also be made online at bbch.org/donate where you can indicate that it is a memorial donation for Matthew Brown.
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