Blair Brown

Blair Brown of Newton and South Dartmouth, MA, former President of Charrette Corporation, died on Saturday, January 2nd, 2016. He was 74. Born in Fall River, MA, to Kathryn (Borden) and Dr. Samuel Brown, Blair graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1958 and from Harvard College in 1962. Blair received a Master of Architecture degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design in 1967, and by then his design interests were turning towards entrepreneurship. While a design student, Blair co-founded the Charrette Corporation, which became a leading national vendor of engineering and architectural supplies, and printing services. Blair was a tireless businessman, who was also passionate about serving his community and competitive sailing. Blair was active in local non-profit organizations that reflected his commitment to promoting education and the arts within the greater Boston community. He was involved with Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, New England Conservatory of Music, Hampshire College, Phillips Exeter Academy, Harvard Student Agencies/Let's Go Travel, Harvard Alumni Association, WGBH, Boston Architectural College, the Swain School, the Herreshoff Marine Museum, Montserrat College of Art, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, and the Cantata Singers. Blair was a member of the New Bedford Yacht Club and the New York Yacht Club. He sailed to numerous regatta victories, and in three different years received the New York Yacht Club's prestigious Herreshoff Award for the season's best overall performance. Blair was a devoted husband and father, who was known for his irreverent spirit and the twinkle in his eye. He loved music, mentoring, entertaining, and le mot juste. Blair is survived by his wife, Carol (Hedstrom); his four children, Corin, Samuel, Amanda, and Louisa; and his grandson, Nicholas. Blair is also survived by his sister-in-law, Susan M. Brown, and numerous nieces and nephews. Blair's only brother, Borden Brown, died in 2009. A memorial gathering will be held at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology on March 12th at 3 pm. Donations may be made in Blair's memory to the following organizations: Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology http://www.bfit.edu/the-college/give-to-bfit (617) 588-4175 Brigham and Women's Hospital Parkinson's Disease Research Fund https://giving.brighamandwomens.org/parkinsons (617) 424-4300 New England Conservatory of Music https://goto.necmusic.edu/pages/donation-form---general (617) 585-1156.