H. Martin Brown

H. Martin Brown ("Marty") passed away on Thursday, December 20, 2012, at his home on Grove Street in Rutland, Vermont with his family at his side.

Marty was born on October 9, 1944 in Burlington, Vermont, the son of State Senator Harold M. Brown and Helen Workman Brown of Castleton, Vermont. Marty graduated from Fair Haven High School in 1962, and from Kansas Wesleyan University in 1967. Marty was a proud 8th generation Vermonter, and part of the H.M. Brown lineage.

After graduating from Kansas Wesleyan, Marty was involved in the development of Killington Ski Area by managing real estate sales for the Sherburne Corporation. Marty served as a second lieutenant of the Vermont National Guard.

In 1969, Marty built Habro Incorporated on the Killington Access Road. Habro originally included a service station, restaurant, delicatessen, liquor store, and the famous "Harry's Broken Ski Lounge." Marty owned and operated Habro for 43 years.

In 1976, Marty married Sharon White of Rutland. Marty and Sharon have a daughter and two sons.

In the summer, Marty lived on Lake Bomoseen where he enjoyed swimming, water-skiing, and, in his later years, chugging along the lake in his pride and joy - a fully restored 1951 Chris Craft Riviera.

Marty also loved competing on the golf course with his sons and friends, and attending stock car races. In the winter, Marty worked hard at Habro and took breaks from the garage on the Killington ski slopes.

Marty lived life "his way," and was known for calling a spade a spade. Marty will be most remembered for his larger than life personality, sense of humor, and as a proud and loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Marty was a member of the Grace Congregational United Church of Christ. Marty was also a member of many organizations, including the Rutland Country Club, Proctor Pittsford Country Club, Lake St. Catherine Country Club, Lake Bomoseen Association (past president), the Cairo Temple Shriners, the Free and Accepted Masons (Lee Lodge #30 of Castleton, Vermont), Rutland Elks, Post 31 of the American Legion, and the Loyal Order of the Moose.

Marty is survived by the following family members: his wife Sharon; his daughter Heather Brown Kidde, husband Jonathan, and their daughter Lily Lyon and son Luke Martin of Vergennes, Vermont; his son Hunter M. Brown, wife Elizabeth, and their son Hudson Mason of Harrison, New York; his son Justin A. Brown and wife Nusi Peczi of Boston, Massachusetts; his sister Sally Laughlin and her husband Peter Krusch of Cambridge, Vermont; his mother-in-law Norma White Delfosse of Rutland; his brother-in-law Bradford White, wife Gail, and their sons William and Derek and daughter Lindsey; his sister-in-law Pamela Nuffort, husband Bob, and their daughter Lauren and son Matt; his nephew James Laughlin, wife Rebecca, and their daughter Adeline of Burlington; and a number of cousins from the Workman family in the Burlington area.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Congregational United Church of Christ at 8 Court Street, Rutland, Vermont. Reverend John C. Weatherhogg will be officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made in Marty's name to the Cairo Temple Shriners at 51 Washington Street, Rutland, or to HEAL - Raising Our World, c/o the Grace Congregational Church.

The family will not be holding calling hours. Arrangements are under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home.