Albert J. Brown

Albert Joseph Brown (Jr.), 77, left this mortal coil on Wednesday, January 24, 2018. Born in Milford CT on March 25, 1940, he was a resident of Morriston FL, having moved from South Florida in 1994.

Al is survived by his wife, Drollene Plattner Brown; his former wife, Audrey Dotzauer Jackson; his children Cathy Brown Lannom (Gregory), Elizabeth Brown Nesmachinov (Joe), Jeffrey Scott Brown, and stepchildren Mark Alan Tittle (Maria) and Shauna Diaz (Alberto); two sisters-in law, Sharon Plattner Reynolds and Anna Maria Ferrari; and his aunt, Rose Lawler Zimmerman. Also bereaved by his passing are 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, many cousins and numerous nephews and nieces.

He is predeceased by his parents, Sarah Lawler and Albert Joseph Brown Sr.; his siblings, Nancy Brown Holst and Kenneth Brown; his son Albert Joseph Brown III and daughter-in-law Kimberly Chronis Brown.

Al Brown’s resumé shows a man who built one experience upon another to achieve much. After discharge from the U.S. Air Force, he moved back to Milford CT and built upon his skills as a jet mechanic to work on specialized machines, eventually becoming a supervisor in those venues.

Moving to South Florida, he worked at The Miami Herald, maintaining and repairing the equipment of the largest daily newspaper in Florida. From there he became Supervisor of Building Maintenance of National Airlines in Miami. There followed his position as manager of building services for American Savings and Loan of Florida. All the while he was taking college business courses.

Striking out on his own, he established A.J. Brown, Inc., an airline consulting firm, filling a special niche in the industry during a period when airlines were outsourcing work. When that period waned, he moved seamlessly into a position at Pan American World Airways. He traveled the world for Pan Am, and when the corporation declared bankruptcy, his employment continued for a year as he sold off the company’s assets in Miami.

Until retirement, Al acted as owner’s and architect’s representative for various companies, overseeing construction of large business complexes such as “The Incredible Universe,” other large indoor shopping centers, and medical complexes.

All this attests to his steadfastness of purpose and his work ethic, but it says nothing about his generosity of spirit and love of life. An expert grill master, he took pleasure in cooking—even in the house—and anyone who ever tasted his BBQ ribs will attest he made the best ribs ever. “Handy” was his middle name; there wasn’t much he couldn't fix. He enjoyed flower gardening, taking pride in his orchids, roses and African violets. Building things filled him with purpose, and he was pleased with the wrap-around porches he designed for his home in Morriston, as well as with the little house he constructed in the back yard for his mother-in-law. He loved to read, and he could trounce everyone at Scrabble. Making people laugh made him happy, and his sly sense of humor and quick wit made doing so an effortless feat.

Having dogs and cats in the house was essential to him, and big family gatherings were his greatest pleasure. His children were the twinkle in his eye, and his grandchildren were a reason for being. He adored his wife, and she cherished him. Their love for each other held the large family together through bad times. Everyone loved Al, but most of all, his family respected, admired and leaned on him. Al Brown will be sorely missed, but he will live on in the heart and mind and soul of every person he ever touched. Go with God, Al. We will love you forever.

The family requests that donations be made to either of two charities: E.T. York Care Center (Hospice), 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville FL 32606, where the deceased spent his last days, or his favorite charity, Defenders of Wildlife—(800-385-9712) or www.facebook.com/DefendersofWildlife.