Bradley Neil Brown

Bradley Neil Brown, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, lived a full life, rewarded with many successes following decades of enterprising work. During the Great Depression he was born to Adeline (Schroeder) and Earl Winn Brown on a kitchen table in 1931 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During World War II he learned lessons of the heartland, spending summers with hard working relatives who leased farms in small towns near Madison, Wisconsin.

Brad’s family moved often and eventually settled in Detroit, Michigan. There Brad graduated from high school and then Wayne State University with a degree in Business Administration. There, he met Beverly Ann McCready, and they married. He joined the Army Reserve and the Michigan National Guard. After college, Brad entered the United States Air Force as 2nd Lieutenant and then went through flight and gunnery training. Following two and a half years of full time service, Brad continued serving by flying for 9 and a half years for the National Guard.

Even though his first marriage ended in divorce, the relationship produced 5 wonderful children, 12 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. Children: Barry Brown (Dorothy Morrison), Brooke Brown (Steve Geerts), Brian Brown, Beth Brown (Jeanette Banashak), Mollie Heitzig. Grandchildren: Faith Morrison (Ben Fitch-Fleischmann), Dylan Brown, Wyatt Brown, Michael Vieten (Shira Jacobs), Brian Vieten (Anna), Matthew Vieten (Kathleen), Bonnie Vieten, Maya Brown, Cyrus Brown, Emily Wheeler, Wheeler Brown, Hannah Heitzig. Great Grandchildren: Jasper Fleischmann, Rye Fleischmann, Milo Brown, Maya Vieten, Andrew Vieten.

Brad was preceded in death by his brother, Bruce L. Brown (Lynne), his ex-wife, Beverly Brown Reynolds, and his parents.

Brad met his lifelong partner, Margaret (Peg Fogel) Brown, a therapist, on a plane at the suggestion of an airline employee who thought Brad would enjoy his seat mate. Their eventual marriage was a steady union which combined expanding work and social opportunities with family reunions in a variety of lovingly designed and furnished homes. Following a spontaneous decision to move to New York without jobs to pursue their dreams, their most productive work years were in that city that never sleeps. In New York they worked separately and together while enjoying all the city had to offer and sharing cultural and entertainment experiences with their children.

After years in Manhattan, they followed artistic friends in a move to Park Slope in Brooklyn, which was then affordable housing including old townhouses and Brownstones, some of which had been neglected over the years. There, they met a retired but experienced insurance salesman, John Cassara, and they became friends as Brad and Peg frequented the antique shop owned by John. Park Slope was ready for its renaissance, despite being considered an old “has been” and a risky investment at that time. John suggested building an insurance company specializing in properly insuring these beautiful old homes and Brad volunteered to be the first salesman. Brad did not own a car at that time and would instead bicycle to sales appointments, much to the delight of some of his clients. This humble mode of transportation became a calling card for Brad’s first years of selling Brownstone Insurance, Inc., and an appropriate symbol of his “can do” philosophy throughout his life.

Brad passed on his hard work ethic to his children and grandchildren. HIs grandchildren think of him as a legend and, indeed, he was one of a kind. He will be missed dearly.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Garden at a later date to be determined.