Mr. Richard Brown, Sr.

UTICA - Mr. Richard Brown, Sr., age 85, went home to his Lord and his family members who went before him when he passed away on Monday, April 10, 2017 in the comfort of his home with his devoted family by his side. Born on March 2, 1932, in Charleston, South Carolina, Richard was the son of the late Levin and Janie Brown. He was raised and educated in South Carolina. Richard was an amateur boxer, a passion he retained all his life. Richard worked with an antique dealer while in Charleston and traveled throughout the United States in search of treasures of begone years. During these travels he met his future bride in Virginia, and they relocated to Florida where he remained in his trade. Richard was a strong, proud man. He returned with his family to Utica where he was rooted, and his family grew. In 1962 he married the former Rosalie Jiggett with whom he shared 52 years. He was attentive to her, and although her needs were few, he gave her whatever she wanted. They were good parents and he worked hard to provide for their family. The Lord was present in their children’s upbringing, activities, and good deeds. Rosalie passed away on May 15, 2004. He was a man of few words but when he spoke his words were filled with wisdom. He got his point across and often you would hear him give you fair warning: “Don’t shake me up!” A self-taught cook, he made very basic meals and in his later years he tried everything… he was not a wasteful person and he would not discard food. Nearly 50 years ago, Richard was injured in a fight to protect someone else, and he became disabled. After incurring this physical burden, he was unable to work and had to get by on less. During these hard times, he had to watch every penny and he ‘picked cans’ and pursued field work to provide for his family. He saw life through a different lens and was blessed to prevail over these life changes. Because he walked to many destinations with his cane in hand pushing his “buggy”, he was bestowed the nickname “Jiggy Bug”. Richard was all about bloodlines. He was concerned about his cousins and wanted to keep close to them. He held to his convictions and was generous, especially when someone was in need. Picnics always happened in his back yard, happy times when he would sit back and watch the young kids enjoying the day. The “Fish & Game Club” was on his front porch, and some would stop to chat, and some would honk their horn, and all was good… He loved his boxing and his tennis matches, following with Williams’s sister. He enjoyed ‘The Price is Right’ and liked listening to the music of Al Green, James Brown, and Michael Jackson. He could ‘cut a rug’ until his last days. On nice days, he would sit on the porch with a cold Old Milwaukee. Richard was quiet about his personal needs and never complained. He was a God-fearing man and was known to tell the truth. He would kneel each night to recite the Lord’s Prayer, and although he was crippled, he felt compelled to kneel on the floor in the Lord’s honor. He was an old school man of character who didn’t ask for much. All he wanted was to be respected, to have a good laugh now and then, and to be remembered as a good dad, granddad, and great-granddad. Richard’s late wife bore him 10 children, 7 boys and 3 girls, and surviving among them are Rosa E. Brown, Maxine Kemp, Richard Brown Jr., and Wilhelmina Brown. He was preceded by Willie Otis Brown, Richard Lee, and his four beloved infants. He also leaves his grandchildren, Teon, Anita, and Tanae; Pedro, and Shakeia; Dante, Raheem, Richard, Teona, and Joshua; Jesse, Karissa, Nova, and Faith; 19 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and his nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by many of his era and is now reunited with them. The family extends their appreciation to the staff of Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. who assisted the family in allowing Richard to remain in his home, especially Irene, who is a gentle soul. They also praise Richard’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved him and assisted in tending to him. This generation learned how to care for those they loved. Visitation will be held Saturday from 11:00-1:00 p.m. at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Richard's funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 at the funeral home immediately upon conclusion of visitation with Foursquare Church Minister Brad Huson officiating. Interment will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Mr. Richard Brown, Sr.

March 2, 1932 - April 10, 2017