Joseph Brown

Joseph James Brown, 94, of Churchville, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on August 19, 2025.

Born November 16, 1930 in the Bronx, New York, Joe was the son of James Joseph Brown of Scranton, Pennsylvania and Winifred Morrin Brown of Sligo, Ireland. He was predeceased by his siblings Thomas Brown, James E. (Ted) Brown, Patricia M. Brown, and Margaret M. Viscovich.

Joe is survived by his college sweetheart and beloved wife of 68 years Mozelle Pardew Brown; his children, Mary Michelle (Shelley) Quinn and her husband Mark, and Joseph Anthony (Tony) Brown and his wife Michele; and his grandchildren, Christian and Justin Quinn, and Daniel and Emmalee Brown who affectionately referred to him as PaJoe.

Joe proudly served his country as a military policeman in the US Army during the Korean conflict from 1953 to 1955. Following his military service, he pursued higher education earning a Bachelor of Science from Salisbury State Teachers College and a Master's degree from the University of Delaware with an additional 30 graduate credits completed in a planned program of study.

Joe dedicated his professional life to public education in Harford County. From 1956 to 1962, he taught English, advanced composition, and public speaking at Edgewood High School. He then served as assistant principal, also at Edgewood High School, from 1962 to 1965. In 1965 Joe was appointed charter principal of Edgewood Middle School where he remained until his retirement in 1985. He also served as president of the Harford County High School Principals Association. In recognition of his lifelong service to education and the Edgewood High School community, he was inducted into the Edgewood High School Hall of Fame in 2017.

In addition to his dedication to public education, Joe was deeply committed to his faith and to community service. He was among the founding instructors of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine at Saint Margaret's Parish in Bel Air, Maryland, president of the Rolling Green Community Association, and a founding member of the Al Cesky Scholarship Fund that awards scholarships to Harford County high school graduates who exhibit exceptional academic and athletic accomplishments as well as a dedication to community service.

Joes's leisure time was spent enjoying tennis, golf, and time with friends at the Maryland Golf and Country Clubs. Known for his grace on the dance floor, he was often affectionately compared to Fred Astaire.

Joe will be remembered for his devotion to family, his faith, his love of country, and his lifelong dedication to education. His legacy continues through the lives of the hundreds of students he taught, the community he served, and the family he so dearly loved.

In accordance with his wishes, Joe's body was donated to the Maryland State Anatomy Board for the advancement of medical education and research.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Al Cesky Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 571, Bel Air, MD 21014, or to the Community Foundation of Harford County, 54 E. Gordon Street, P.O. Box 612, Bel Air, MD 21014.

The family will host a "Celebration of Life" tribute on Joe's birthday, November 16, 2025.