Rex I. Brown Jr.

Auburn - Rex I. Brown, Jr. 82 of Auburn left this mortal world and went to eternal life Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at the Odd Fellows Home where he had resided for the past four years. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Leona (Thornton) Brown of Auburn. They were married June 12, 1948 in Lincoln with the Rev. Warren Palmer officiating and renewed their vows on their 50th anniversary at the Springfield Congregational Church with the Rev. Priscilla Schumm officiating. They met at a dance at the Springfield Fair when they were 15 and danced through the rest of their life together. He was born in Lincoln, Maine, March 2, 1930 a son of the late Rex I. Brown, Sr. and Josephine M. (Spearin) Faulkner. He graduated from Mattanawcook Academy in the class of 1948 where he was active in sports. He lettered in Football, Baseball and Pole Vaulting. Rex first worked in the woods with his father-in-law and dear friend, Walter E. Thornton. He was then employed for 32 years by Great Northern Paper Company until his retirement in 1986. East Millinocket is where he and Leona raised their family. He was an active member of the First Congregational Church where he was a deacon. He and Leona were also members of the Papermates Square Dance Club. In 1994 they moved to their camp at Bottle Lake in Lakeville where he and Leona were members of the Springfield Congregational Church. In 2004, after the birth of their great granddaughter, Gianna Rae, they moved to Auburn. He is also survived by a daughter, Cheryl E. Brown; three sons, Rex Barry Brown, Scott G. Brown and wife Elizabeth, and Arlen W. Brown and life partner Jose "Fred" Biasella; four grandchildren, Kendie J. Davis, Michael J. Patchell, Christopher S. Brown and wife Sarah, and Lauren R. Smith and husband Daniel; three great grandchildren, Gianna Rae Davis-Boulet, Andrew C. Smith and Micah L. Thibodeau; a sister, Pauline Cross; a brother, Carroll Brown; a sister-in-law and "brother", Diane and Paul Drake and sister-in-law, Lorraine M. Sweet. He was predeceased by a son, Darryll M. Brown on September 30, 2011, a sister, Marise Corro, a brother, Donald Brown and sister-in-law, Priscilla (Thornton) Tozier. You are invited to share your condolences with the Brown family by visiting their guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com

Funeral services will be held Friday at 2:00 PM at the Fortin Group Funeral Home in Auburn with the Rev. Stephen Carnahan officiating. A graveside committal service will take place Saturday at the Village Cemetery in Springfield with the Rev. Alice Palm Lester officiating. For those who wish donations may be made in his memory to the Springfield Congregational Church, P.O. Box, Springfield, ME 04487