John David Brown

John David Brown, proud brother, father, uncle, and grandfather, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2024 at St. Luke's Montefiore Hospital. He was 85 years old.
The son of the late John Joseph Brown and Judith Florio Brown, he was born on March 16, 1939 in Hempstead, NY. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country in the Korean War. Shortly after arriving back in the States, he married Rosemarie Rusciano, and they shared 58 years together before her death in 2018. He worked as a surveyor for Operating Engineers Local #825. He was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus. He loved NASCAR, Pete Fountain, the NY Yankees, watching his sons-in-law dirt racing, and always being a joker and prankster.
John is survived by his four daughters: Barbara Hamilton and her husband David; Carol Brown Malcolm, widow of Jim Malcolm; Gloria Finley and her husband John; and Sharon Schrufer and her husband Melvin. He is also survived by his sisters Maryann (Annie), Judith (Sis), Muriel (Sam), and grandchildren: William and his significant other Donna, David John and his significant other Candace, Jena, Jessica, Brendan, as well as several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and his beloved wife Rosemarie, he was predeceased by his sister Patricia and her husband Harry.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 pm on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. Fr. Paul Richmond, O.Carm will officiate a funeral service at 4 pm, followed by Knights of Columbus and U.S. Military honors. Cremation will be private.