ORLAND - Alfred A. Brown, 71, passed away Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, at his home, with his family by his side. He was born Sept. 4, 1936, in North Brookfield, Mass., the son of Fred L. and Mary (Pelc) Brown Sr. Al graduated in 1954 from West Springfield High School, immediately joining the Coast Guard. He attended Westfield State Teacher's College, Westfield, Mass. He graduated in 1962 from King's Point, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in New York. He traveled the seas, as a licensed deck officer from 1962 to 1967, and then moved to Castine to teach at Maine Maritime Academy. He married Sharyn Ripley in 1971 and they had two children, Lisa and Kris, his pride and joy. He returned to the sea from 1971 to 1991, during which time he attained his master mariner's license. During his 25 years at sea, he traveled the world, visiting many ports, and numerous countries and continents. He made trips for the government to Vietnam, and also transported military protected cargo. He retired in 1991, returning to Maine Maritime Academy, where he taught marine transportation for another 15 years and continued to ship out yearly with the students, aboard the TV State of Maine training vessel. Inspiring education was his passion and he loved his students. He taught nautical science, navigational rules, and casualty analysis, and enjoyed sharing his knowledge of ships and the sea with them. Through attention-keeping tactics, references to Diet Seven Up, and by always being available for the students, he helped to make them better ship's officers. He realized that teaching was about sharing real-life experiences in relation to the text, and valued the gift of being able to communicate with his students. He took pleasure in reading the numerous letters, which he received from graduates; in these letters, a common theme: sincere appreciation for his great influence in the success of their careers, and gratitude for so many of his "real life" teachings, which became life-saving lessons at sea. He was recognized by the Maine Maritime Academy board of trustees and awarded emeritus faculty status. Al participated in many activities. He was an advisor to both the crew and hockey teams; he owned a Piper Cherokee airplane and was a flight instructor; he served as an expert witness in various maritime collision cases; and served on the board of directors of Acadia Village Resort. Al's greatest love in life was his family. To him, there was no greater joy and nothing more important. Though his career had taken him all throughout the world, the trips he enjoyed most were the ones with his family. He taught us the importance of family, unconditional love and support. Some of his favorite times were spent on Toddy Pond, having BBQs with friends and family, and rowing alongside loved ones as they swam across the lake and back because, "Even an Olympic swimmer could get a cramp." He enjoyed chess and bridge, and playing pool with his brother, hunting and fishing, and watching the Patriots, Red Sox, and UMaine hockey. He was always a hard worker and lived his life with honor and respect for others. Our "Daddio" was a great role model and an inspiration! His greatest journey was this adventure called life. Al is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Sharyn; his daughter, Lisa R. Brown and her fiance, David Pasquale, of Brewer; son, Kristopher R. Brown of Bucksport; his brother, Fred L. Brown Jr. of Bucksport, and his children, Cynthia Brown, Christine Rottger, and Fred Brown III; his sister-in-law, Vicki Ripley of Bucksport, and her children, Jason Gaslin and Sara Gaslin; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Debi and Lou Cote of Orland, and their children, Heather Cote and Nicole Cote; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his aunts, Althea, Sophie, Emma, Stella, Lorraine Brown and Myrtle Greene, all of Massachusetts, and Laurabelle Campbell of Oregon. He was predeceased by his parents. At Al's request, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been created in his name for a student going to a maritime school. Donations in his honor may be sent to the Capt. Alfred A. Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund, Seaboard Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box G, Bucksport, ME 04416. Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, Bucksport.
This obituary was originally published in the BDN Maine.
