Charles R. Brown

1934 - 2015

BOONVILLE >> Charles R. Brown, a former resident of Jackson Hill Road, husband of Marion, and former owner of Charlie Brown's Bistro, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2015, at Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Boonville, after a long illness.
Affectionately known as Charlie, he was born on Erwin Street in Boonville, on Nov. 28, 1934, a son of Edward F. and Emma Dorn Brown. A life resident of Boonville, he grew up on Jackson Hill and completed his education at Boonville Central School. After that Charlie was employed in the operation of his grandparents, Frank and Bertha Dorn Dairy Farm, on Jackson Hill.
Later Charlie began his career in farm equipment sales and service where he was employed for Evans Tractor & Equipment Co. Remsen, and also for Cougar Farm Equipment Co. of Lyons Falls.
In 1972, he founded Brown's Tractor and Equipment Co. on Jackson Hill Road, which he operated for many years. Upon his "retirement" from the farm equipment business, Charlie established Charlie Brown's Bistro, a restaurant that grew into a very popular North Country eatery, known for miles around for its tasty meals and desserts and Charlie's visiting. Charlie will be fondly remembered as a person who loved people and greeting them on his favorite stool as they entered the restaurant. After he retired, his son Jeff and his significant other, Julie, purchased the Brown homestead, continuing to operate the restaurant, now known as Charlie Brown's Too.
Charles was united in marriage with Marion A. Pfendler, on Nov. 21, 1959, at St. Joseph's Church, Boonville. This was a loving union that endured for 55 years.
Charlie Brown had a lifelong interest in race cars and race car diving. In the early 1960s he co-founded the Evans Mills Speedway, which became a well-known North Country stock car racetrack. For many years he greatly enjoyed racing stock cars at many area tracks, with the Zeigler Bros. of Boonville. For many years he and the Zeigler Bros. also co-chaired the popular demolition derby at the Boonville Oneida Co. Fair.
Mr. Brown was a member of St. Joseph's Church, Boonville.
In addition to his wife, Marion, Charlie is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Lori (Chris) Campbell, Rome, Tammy (Wesley) Wendt, Hamilton, Cindy (Don) Wiedmer, Marcy; one son, Jeff Brown and his significant other, Julie Stanbro, Boonville; six grandchildren, Zachary Wendt, Matt Campbell, Evan Campbell, Dylan Wiedmer, Travis Wiedmer and Cydnee Wendt.
His funeral will be Thursday, at 12:15 p.m. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, and at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church, Boonville, with interment to follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Boonville. Visitation hours are Wednesday 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Resident Activities Fund at Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 232 Academy St., Boonville, or to Boonville Fire Co. Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 164, Boonville, N.Y. 13309.
For an on-line message of sympathy or to share a memory of Charlie, please go to www.trainorlfuneralhome.com