Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Buster BROWN Obituary
At the University of Ottawa Heart Institute on Tuesday morning, April 15th, 2014 following a lengthy courageous struggle. Harry Jack "Buster" Brown of Arnprior passed away at the age of 63 years. Beloved son of the late Harry Brown and the late Christine Allen. Cherished and most proud father of Abby. Dear brother of Brian Brown (Debbie) and Richard Brown, all of Ottawa. Former husband of Pauline McGuire. Buster was predeceased by 4 brothers: Glenn (Myrna of Kingston); Kirby (Anne of Constance Bay); Orville and Brett Brown. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Buster was a valley legend in both step dancing and violin. He made a life time career out of both performing and teaching. Buster started step dancing in Ottawa at the age of nine and was teaching at the age of twelve. When he started teaching in the Valley, he had to hire a driver because he was too young to have a license. From there, things only went up for Buster, and culminated when he captured the North American Step Dancing Champion title for not one or two, but three consecutive years. He also toured with Don Messer across Canada and on special occasions, was even flown in to Messer's Jubilee show in Halifax to perform. At sixteen he travelled across Canada and the US with Messer for 3 months performing 72 one night shows. Over the years he performed on TV and Jamborees with artists such as Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, Mel Tillis, Graham Townsend and Al Cherny in locations from Nashville to Las Vegas. In spite of the time commitments that come with performing, he kept pushing both dancing and fiddle to generations of students in the Valley and Ottawa. Buster Brown's Canadian Steppers, a hand picked group of young dancers, became famous in their own right. Many of his students carried on performing and teaching in their own adult years. Some achieving outstanding recognition on an international stage. These include April Verch as well as Jon and Nathan Pilatzke. It became his life long work, but it was also his life long love. As illness confronted him, he persisted in continuing to teach as he had started, by hiring a driver to take him to and from lessons. For his efforts in both performing and teaching, he received many awards. The icing on the cake was his induction into the Ottawa Valley Country Hall of Fame in 2003. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during visitation at the Pilon Family Funeral Home and Chapel Ltd., 50 John Street North, Arnprior on Saturday morning, April 19th from 10 a.m. until 11:45. A Service to honour the life and times of Buster Brown will be conducted in the Pilon Family Chapel on Saturday at 12 noon. Reception to follow in the Pilon Family Reception Centre. Interment Capital Memorial Gardens, Nepean. In memory of Buster, a donation to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute would be appreciated by his family.
Condolences/Tributes/Donations/Webcast
www.pilonfamily.ca
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
34 Entries
Gisele (Gigi) LeMay
May 15, 2014
May you rest in peace and God's light now, Buster. You will be missed.
April 21, 2014
Canada has lost a true ambassador of dance. RIP Buster.
Shaughn Harrington, Asheville, North Carolina.
Erin, Colleen & Heather Searson
April 21, 2014
My sisters and I were among the many dance students taught by Buster and Pauline over the years. Not only did they teach us to dance, they provided us with the opportunity to tour and bring Ottawa Valley Step Dancing around the world. To this day we still tour and dancing is always a crowd favourite. Thank you Buster for being a strict but fun teacher. We will always remember you from lessons, house parties and shows. We will always appreciate you helping us to perform on stage.
michelle arsenault
April 19, 2014
My deepest condolences to the Brown family.
Michelle Arsenault (nee Lavergne)
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Christine James-Purdy
April 19, 2014
My deepest sympathy to the family. Buster Brown was a big part of my childhood as my dance teacher for 10 years in Smiths Falls. I still think of dancing for him and with him when I hear certain songs. Rest in Peace
Joan McDermott
April 19, 2014
Rest in Peace Buster
gisele schalo
April 19, 2014
he taught me since I was 7 and to me he was the BEST!! no one will EVER be as good as him, so light on his feet! I admired him so much cause stepdancing is my passion too. love u and miss u so much Buster, rest in peace now.
Sandy Thompson
April 19, 2014
My deepest condolences go out to the Brown family. May you find peace, in knowing, that he will be remembered by thousands of people, who had the privilege to be taught by his wonderful talent. He will be forever remembered and missed.
Sue Cassidy
April 19, 2014
We all connect with music. Musicians see and interpret the universe in different colours. Nurses do as well. I only knew Harry briefly but I understood immediately he was an old soul. We had fun talking of concerts...of favorite music bits and pieces. It was an honor to have known him....if only fleeting...
sue RN. H5 Heart Institute
gisele schalo
April 18, 2014
we love u Buster rest in total peace and no more pain. we will miss u always!!
brandy schalo
April 18, 2014
we will miss u forever!! rest in peace Buster.
brandy schalo
April 18, 2014
he was a good teacher for everyone and for the people who was dancing with him. I hope your not worrying about him because he will be dancing with the angels just like Abby said. thank you for teaching me! 7 yrs old.
Lori, Neil, Ali, Alex Currie
April 18, 2014
Buster taught violin and stepdancing to both our kids. Great memories we will cherish forever. Our deepest condolences.
Duncan Adams
April 18, 2014
It was certainly sad news to hear about the loss of Buster Brown on the radio the other night. My sincere condolences to the Brown Family and may God Bless you Brian and your family at this time of your loss.
janice and graham mccausland
April 18, 2014
We will miss seeing you on the streets of Arnprior and at jim's for toast and coffee.Our thoughts and prayers to Pauline and family.memories are for ever!
Joanne Brown
April 18, 2014
My sincere condolences to Pauline and the Brown family.
I was absolutely shocked to hear of Buster's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you have the strength you need for today, and the hope you need for tomorrow. I can't imagine the sadness and sorrow you are dealing with at this difficult time with the loss of Buster. Missing someone means that the love was present, the bond was strong and the memories precious. Being a part of his life was nice. Enjoy all the precious memories you have of Buster.
I have many memories of Buster.....
Buster was my first cousin, we would be at party together and he would always get me to try and step dance, it was quite a show, me with two left feet, and no rhythm, Buster had lots of patience with me. May the beautiful memories you hold in your heart give you comfort and strength in the days ahead. Buster has been taken way before his time, and will be missed. Rest In Peace Buster.
My sympathy Joanne
April 18, 2014
To Pauline , Abby , and the Brown families:
My sincere condolences for your loss. Buster was an original. Truly dedicated to his work.. I hope St Peter brought his dancing shoes to the gate to great him.
Brian ostrom
Chelsea QC./ Sarasota FL.
Janet McParland (nee Dick)
April 18, 2014
My deepest condolences to the Brown family. My family spent many years with Buster and Pauline as we traveled across Eastern Ontario and into Quebec to perform as part of his step dancing group Double Vision. As dancers, we learned that dedication and practice were essential to add the element of finesse to any routine that was bound for the stage. We have so many fond memories of Buster. He will be greatly missed.
Reid Campbell
April 18, 2014
I remember Buster tap dancing down the street in Ottawa wearing his shiny first pair of dancing shoes. That was a very long time ago but even then you could see that tap dancing was his calling. Buster, you will be missed by so many.
Lawrence Mahusky
April 17, 2014
I remember the wonderful dancers you brought to Story Land .....5678....What an awesome teacher you were .
Britannie and Jason McCausland
April 17, 2014
You can still dance in heaven but will be missed here.
Ron and Elaine Tracey
April 17, 2014
Our sincere condolences to the Brown family. We have many fond memories of Buster.....he taught our daughter, Jennifer - step dancing and our son, Justin - the drums. Many evenings after lessons in Eganville he would relax at our home with a drink or two (water??) He was one of the best! RIP Buster! Ron and Elaine Tracey
Rolly Hammond
April 17, 2014
My deepest condolences to the family. Buster worked for me on many shows that I was producing in the late 70s and up to the early 90s. His knowledge of dance and professionalism on stage were evident of the love he had for his craft. He will be sorely missed.
Lynn McLewin
April 17, 2014
Dear Pauline, Abby and family:
My sincere condolences to all of you in this very difficult time. It is with great sadness that I heard the news of Buster's passing on the 11:00 o'clock news last evening. I was a former student of Buster's and use to dance every Monday evening first on Bank Street and years later in the basement of St. Richard's church. The Plouffe family will always remember Buster for his kindness and patience. He will be greatly missed!
Lynn McLewin (nee Plouffe)
Mike Carr
April 17, 2014
Buster was my daughter's first step dance teacher it was a joy to watch him and Pauline dance at his year end recitals.
Wendy Towell Bombay
April 17, 2014
My condolences go out to the Brown family
...Praying for God's peace this time...Buster was my first cousin.
Tracey Draper-Dipelino
April 17, 2014
Absolutely shocked and saddened to hear of Buster's passing.
Buster and my father have been the best of buddies for many years ( Don Draper). I was priviledged to have been taught step dancing for a year with Buster, enjoyed his weekly "Tuesday" visits at my parents place where he would play fiddle with my dad and we would talk for hours , enjoyed his music and dancers at our yearly Jamboree in Quebec.... and the list of memories goes on.
An absolutely wonderful man and it is such a huge loss.
My heart goes out to his family and Abby....the love of his life. Our weekly visits consisted of the many stories he would tell us of his little girl.
Thoughts are with you all during this very sad time... he will truly be missed
April 17, 2014
We were first introduced to Ottawa Valley Stepdancing lessons via an advertisement in the Ottawa PennySaver.
Our family has many fond memories of lessons at St. Richard's with Buster & Pauline.
Buster was an awesome teacher who brought so much passion for Ottawa Valley Stepdancing. There were no short-cuts with Buster. He made you work and work and work until it was right.
Both my kids greatly benefited from his lessons and our family gained an appreciation and lifelong love of Ottawa Valley Stepdancing.
Shuffle one, shuffle two, shuffle three, step, step!
Dale, Anne Marie, Tierney & Cole Boyce
Nepean, On
Kevin Thompson
April 17, 2014
I was a former student of Buster's and he taught me far more than how to be a great step-dancer... he taught me how to have fun and perform in front of large audiences and dance for the fun of it! All those Monday nights in the basement of St Richard's church in South Merivale surely must have earned him his wings. We will miss you dearly!
Tracie Marquardt
April 17, 2014
Buster has taught my daughter stepdancing for the last three years and has helped give her a love for and understanding of dancing and music. He was a superb teacher and will be greatly missed.
Barry and Donna Proulx
April 17, 2014
The Brown Family
Buster showed such dedication to his craft and all were proud to know him and enjoy watching him perform. You could even tell a student taught by Buster as they had a certain style. May the beautiful memories you hold in your heart give you comfort and strength in the days ahead.
Our Sincere Sympathy
Doug & Jane Matatall
April 17, 2014
It is with extreme sadness we heard the news of Buster's passing. We have such fond memories of Buster dancing at many of the parties held at Craig's farm over the years. His love of dance and his love of life were reflected in everything he did. His spirit will live on in our hearts. We will cherish the memories forever. You were part of our life. You will be missed!
April 17, 2014
I was one of Buster's first pupils. He often stayed at my Mother's house in Cobden and my brother would drive him to Eganville and Barry's Bay to teach his students. He was a great guy and many nights were spent with him dancing in my Mother's living room in Cobden. Reta (Shean) Behm
Gwen Cadman
April 17, 2014
RIP Buster. Heaven has another great dancer.
Showing 1 - 34 of 34 results
50 John Street North, Arnprior, ON K7S 2N2
Make a Donation
in Buster BROWN's name
How to support Buster's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Buster BROWN's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
