Jack J. Brown

The only son of immigrant parents from Russia, Jack Joseph Brown was born in Chicago in 1920. He took advantage of the opportunities his parents provided for him when they moved to America to escape persecution. The Douglas Park neighborhood in Chicago was where Jack grew up, graduating from Crane Tech High School. He received a zoology degree from University of Michigan where he also studied German and French. In World War II his language skills were of value to the US Army as he became an interpreter, earning 9 decorations and citations as a participant in the Battle of the Bulge and other conflicts.

Returning to Chicago after the war, Jack became a theatrical booking agent which is where he met his wife, Barbara. They married in 1954. He worked for ARA Food Services in sales and then Federal Cleaning Contractors until retiring in 1990. A lifelong Cub’s fan and Chicago Symphony follower, Jack and Barbara, raised their 3 children, Laurie, Faith, and Jeff in Wilmette, and remained in their home where they lived together for 56 years sharing their love of music throughout their life together. Jack has lived his life as a devoted son, a loving husband, a doting father and father-in-law, and a proud grandfather to his two grandchildren, Joshua and Katie.