Dean Ralph Brown Jr.

Dean R. Brown Jr., of Coconut Creek FL, went home to be with the Lord on July 4th, 2026 at the age of 97. He is survived by his beloved wife Margaret, son James, grandchildren Morgan and Tyler, and great-grandchildren Alphonse, Augustus, Eli, and Margaret.

Dean was born in Belchertown, MA on June 16th, 1929 to Ethel Mae Piper and Dean R. Brown Sr. He was a student of Ware High School, where he was a catcher on the baseball team. He continued his baseball career in Grafton and throughout his life.

After school, he enlisted in the Army and joined the 1st Infantry Division and was soon deployed to Germany for four years. He came back to a family that had moved to Bellows Falls, where he met his wife, Margaret. They were married June 20, 1953. He went on to work for Connolly Fuels delivering coal until Mr. Connolly recommended him to the local police force. He was hired onto the force and in uniform directing traffic the next day for Bellows Falls Police. He quickly rose through the ranks to become the Bellows Falls Night Sargent, and then moved to Ludlow where he became the Chief of Police. He started a robust career in public service when he was offered a Town Manager position in Heartland, VT. He went on to be the Town Manager of Wallingford,VT, Cavendish,VT, and finally his favorite home, Ludlow, VT, where he was the Town Manager for 24 years.

Dean retired to sunny Margate, FL to follow his son.

Dean was also an avid horseman, racing horses for 60 years. The race tracks of Saratoga, Yonkers, Vernon, Green Mountain, Hinsdale & Pompano Park all saw his mark. His favorite horse was America’s Cup, and his favorite trainer and drivers were his son, Jim Brown and good friend, Tom Coddington.

After retirement, Dean couldn’t sit still for long. He and his wife flipped 14 mobile homes and made friends with all of the snowbirds in Coral Cay Mobile Home Park. He, Margaret, and their granddaughter Morgan were always checking in on snowbirds’ homes and weeding gardens in the South FL heat.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Roberta Brown, his sisters Arlene Parker & Barbara Grimes, brother Frank Brown, half-siblings Deane Brown & Marlene Morse.

He will be greatly missed.