Joseph Brown

Nov. 12, 2012

Joseph Brown, 91, of Scranton, died Saturday at Moses Taylor Hospital. He would have celebrated his 92nd birthday on Dec. 28. His beloved wife of almost 64 years, Mickie, died in 2009.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, son of the late Morris D. and Helen Brown, he was a graduate of Coughlin High School. In World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 487th Bomb Group as a radio operator and waist gunner. With his lifelong friend, Buddy Rothstein, of Wilkes-Barre, he flew numerous missions over Europe. They were shot down four times, including forced landings in Soviet-occupied Poland, and in the North Sea. He received a Purple Heart.

Joseph was one of the owners of National Pretzel Company in Scranton.

For many years, Joseph volunteered as a reader on the radio for the Lackawanna Association for Blind, and for the Jewish Family Service Meals on Wheels. He also volunteered for the UJA. He was a lifelong member of Temple Israel, and of the Jewish Community Center.

Joseph is survived by his children, Nancy and her husband, Charles, Mendicino, Calif; Alan, his partner, Gen, New York City; Laurie and her husband Kenny, New York City; three sisters, Harriet Schectman, Scranton; Libby Botwinick, Port Washington, N.Y.; Sylvia German, Boca Raton, Fla; and a brother, Nathan Brown, Kingston; three granddaughters, Jessica, Courtney and Perry; numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in Temple Israel Cemetery, Dunmore, with a service by Joseph's nephew, Rabbi Steven Nathan. Shiva will be observed at the Brown Residence, 550 Clay Ave., Apt. 4A, on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lackawanna Branch Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, 228 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18503; or to Kosher Meals on Wheels, Jewish Family Service of Lackawanna County, 615 Jefferson Ave., Suite 204, Scranton PA 18510.

Arrangements are by the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc., Dunmore. To send the family an online condolence or for further information, please visit www.DunmoreFuneralHome.com.