Donald "Brown" Wormwood
Donald "Brown" Wormwood
Obituary
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Donald Wormwood Obituary
1939 - 2017
GARDINER - Donald "Brown" Wormwood, 77, of Gardiner, passed away on March 16, 2017, after having suffered multiple strokes.
Don was born Oct. 4, 1939, in Buxton, to Nellie Josephine Ackley. He graduated from Thornton Academy in 1958 as the "class clown." He was a sergeant E5 in the U.S. Army. He started in radio in 1957 while also working on the Dave Astor Show. During his 50-plus years in radio, he co-founded the LOVE Fund, which is a campaign to raise funds for locals in need. He also announced all Gardiner sports, and in 2006 was inducted into the Maine Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Through the years, he received several personal accomplishments, such as the John Burgess Award, in 2011, Le Club Calumet honored him as Citizen of the Year, as well as making him an honorable member of the club. He was involved with the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame, the Spirit of America, Bikers of Maine, The Windsor Fair, The Litchfield Fair, 1-7-10 Bowling Show, The Whatever Festival, Gardiner Little League, American Legion, Senior Pee Wee Basketball, and was the DJ for area dances and weddings.
His favorite occupation was being on the radio and entertaining people by emulating Red Skelton. He loved to go for rides with his wife and two dogs, sitting on his front porch and watching the birds, fishing, golfing, and traveling to Aruba. He was a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was an icon in the Gardiner community and gave of himself endlessly. He cherished and loved his wife, children and grandchildren.
Don is survived by his wife, Priscilla Wormwood; two sons, Ray and his wife Lynne, and Chris and his wife Bonnie; daughter Tracy and her husband John Farrell; 19 grandchildren; two sisters, Sharon Cline, of Buxton; and Gale Wormwood, of Augusta; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Rita Wormwood, in 2002.
Visiting hours will be Friday, March 24, 2017, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Staples Funeral Home in Gardiner. A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, March 25, at 11 a.m. at Le Club Calumet, Augusta.
In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made to
Kennebec Valley Humane Society
10 Pethaven Lane
Augusta, ME 04330
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Paula Potter
March 28, 2017
To Don Brown's Family,
So sorry we have lost this legend! Use to listen to him all the time. He reminded me so much of Wolfman Jack! I bet Don is spinning the oldies in Heaven. He won't be forgotten!
R.I.P. Don God be always with your family!
March 27, 2017
Don and Rita were our neighbors on Perkins Lane, Hallowell back in the 60's. I even babysat the boys a few times. I followed Don't career at WABK all through school and for as long as I lived in the area. My father, always thought Dona and Rita were great neighbors to have. Don had a special place in my heart. He always cared about me. So sad to hear of his passing, far too soon. My sympathies to his children. He certainly made an impact on a lot us in the Hallowell, Augusta, Gardiner area. He will be missed. God Bless you all. Dena Rowell Profenno
Steven Luce
March 25, 2017
I recently met Don before his retirement at the 93.5 studio where he introduced himself and paid close attention to my 11 year old daughter Milah who has cerebral palsy he made her feel special and welcomed to be there and also would fulfill her requests on the air and mention her name, Thank you Don, Steven Luce and family.
Coco Farrell
March 24, 2017
So sorry to hear about Don Brown - he will be greatly missed. I listened to him on WABK radio when it was the oldies.
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Scott Taylor
March 24, 2017
Grew up with Don on the radio from the 70's till 2017. Will be sadly missed. RIP Don.
Rollie and Judy Raymond
March 24, 2017
Condolences to Tracy an family. It's hard losing a farther. We will miss his joyful voice on the radio. Time, love, friends and family will comfort you at this time. RIP Don.
Frank Mclaughlin
March 23, 2017
May the Lord on was my little Leaguecomfort your famil
May the Lord comfort your family in during this difficult time. Don was my Little Coach 70's and left a good lasting impression.
Cheryl Mercer
March 23, 2017
A wonderful co-host and mentor. He was a great man and will be missed. Will always cherish our morning show memories!
Paul Bramhall
March 23, 2017
I certainly will never forget working with Don at WKCG in the early 90s. Thank you Don, thank you for being a mentor and lending a listening ear. I learned a lot from you and you are definately missed. My prayers go out to your family.
Randy Newcombe
March 22, 2017
I first knew of Don as a voice on the radio, then as my sister's brother-in-law, then as the man that opened the door that became my radio career. I owe Don so much for everything I learned from him. If there's a rock and roll heaven, Don is playing the music that's making the angel's dance. RIP my friend.
David Mann
March 22, 2017
I will miss you, Don. I first met Don on the Dave Astor show in 1959. He was always the class clown even then. I loved his L. L. Bean act of look at the moose and talk into the fishing pole. It was done several times on the hospital show at Gardiner high school.
Kate Arno
March 22, 2017
Don a consistently good man with lots of energy and interests, as well as the capacity to engage and include others. He left the world a better place, for sure. I worked with him on several projects many years ago and on a recent return trip to Maine, he still remembered me.
kurt and lisa manelick
March 22, 2017
don will be sadly missed by all, friends and family.i always talked to don at the football games. he had a very jolly laugh and huge smile he he be greatly missed by family friends and the radio world. heaven has recieved a very special angel. rest in peace don
Heidi Warren
March 22, 2017
Don will be missed. Such a wonderful father and friend to many! Thinking of you all and keeping you in my prayers.
Much love,
The Warren Family
March 21, 2017
R.I.P. Don Brown..generations of kids grew up to the sound of your voice..you will be sadly missed...
Nellie Donahue
March 21, 2017
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
jolene ladd
March 21, 2017
rip mr brown! my mom loved you on wabk! and was so happy to meet you w me before she passed away! your in heaven enjoying music snacks and scratchoff tickets!
March 21, 2017
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Don. I listened to him so long, first on WABK, then on 93.5, that I felt that I knew him. In fact, I think he knew me because I called so many times for his radio contests. He also did a lot for the community contributing his time for the cancer walk and every year for the Love Fund. Rest in peace, my friend.
Ron Gilbert
Vassalboro
Marc Fisher
March 21, 2017
I first listened to Don on the school bus as a freshman in 1970, less than 2 years after WABK 1280 signed on. 32 years later I had the honor and privilege to work with him and occasionally join him on the air. Don loved radio perhaps more than I along with its ability to reach out to those in need of a friend. Farewell Donald and I thank you.
Brenda Ward
March 21, 2017
I was so sad to hear about Don's passing. He was a true icon and made listening to the radio fun. THANKS Don for making my teen years great with music ,you will be missed by many
Julie Wheelock
March 21, 2017
Sorry to hear the news of Don's passing. He left a mark on the central Maine community that few others could. Having worked with him for 3 years, I know he loved radio, the community, and his family. I will have his family in my thoughts, wishing you peace.
March 21, 2017
I was an avid listener of Don Brown's on 93.5. I even called in once and had a chance to speak with him. He was one of a kind. I made time to try to listen in to his morning show. As a person "from away" he was Mr. Maine to me. What a great loss to us all! Andy Cook
Gale Wormwood
March 21, 2017
To a brother who can't be replaced. We were very close and I got to share Aruba with him and Priscilla. That is one memory I will always have. RIP big brother Love Gale
Cathy
March 21, 2017
Will always remember you and Bruce on Wabk Sunday mornings,you made us laugh!RIP old radio friend ,will miss you on the air!
March 21, 2017
Thank you for your service.
Theresa O'Clair
March 21, 2017
We are so very sorry to hear of your great loss. I've never heard a negative thing said about this man. Loved his voice on the radio! He will be missed! Roger & Theresa O'Clair
Sue Lougee-Mann
March 21, 2017
Working with Don at WABK from 1972-1975 was a time I'll never forget! We always had fun and enjoyed each other's company. The old trailer in Farmindale was cold in the winter, but warm inside because of Don! May all your memories of a true icon help you get through this incredibly difficult time.
Vivian Maschino
March 21, 2017
So sorry for your loss
Deacon Jeff Lewis
March 21, 2017
An icon of morality for all he met. Every kid in the Gardiner-Augusta area would love to hear his voice early in the morning on a snowy day announcing "no school". A treasure to the community. May God rest his soul and comfort all those who mourn his passing.
Doreen Crocker
March 21, 2017
so very sorry for the loss of a great person, humanitarian, artist, performer.
RIP Don.
Sandra Fuller
March 21, 2017
So very sorry for your loss of Don, Have known him for a long time he will be missed by all. Sending my prayers to Ray, Chris Tracey and the rest of the family Love Sandra and Colleen Fuller RIP Don
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53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, ME 04345
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