Louie Brown

Ralph "Louie" Louis Brown Jr., 77, passed away in Parma, Ohio on Friday, December 5, 2025. Son of the late Ralph and Elizabeth "Libby" Brown; Brother of William Brown (Jane) and Suzy Brown; Uncle of Eric Brown (Kelly) and Ross Brown (Tianqi); Great-uncle of October Brown and friend of many. Louie will be remembered for his love of the great outdoors, canoeing, camping, and enjoying all that wildlife has to offer. He had a fondness for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico-Superior Provincial Park, a wilderness region straddling the Canada-United States border between Ontario and Minnesota just west of Lake Superior.

Louie loved growing tomatoes. He would order seed catalogs in early spring, selecting 5 or 6 varieties, some new, some tried and true. A large lighted shelf unit sat in a corner of the family living room. Planted in recycled yogurt cups, tomato seeds sprouted under continuous grow light. Tiny seedlings were transplanted into larger pots, then hardened outside once warm winds of May arrived. From these carefully tended seeds, Louie grew spectacular tomatoes: Big Boys, Russian Pink, Heirlooms, Cherries.

The secret to success was his planting bed located against the outside southwest facing garage wall. Twenty-five feet of perfectly situated, wind sheltered backdrop with enriched soil basking in full sun. Louie generously shared his bounty with family, friends and neighbors.

But that's not all. Louie was also an enthusiastic cook. Bushels of tomatoes became tomato sauce, simmered with sausage and plentiful basil - a reward for the patient gardener Ralph "Louie" Brown Jr.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Lou's name to www.queticofoundation.org.

Cremation Services by Busch Funeral Home. 440.842.7800. www.buschcares.com.