Irwin E. Brown

In Loving Memory Irwin E. Brown December 13, 1922 – March 18, 2025 MELBOURNE, FL - Irwin Elliott Brown, beloved husband of Marjorie Jean Brown (deceased), passed away on March 18, 2025 in Melbourne, Florida. Irwin was born in Fulton, NY, on December 13, 1922, the son of Ephraim Brown and Adeline Johnson Brown. He had an older brother, Bruce Brown. Irwin graduated from Fulton High School in 1941, and attended Oswego State University (at the time, Oswego State Teachers' College), where he obtained a Bachelor of Education degree. There, he met, Marjorie Ball, of Oswego, NY, and they married on April 11, 1944. He is survived by his daughter, Carole J. Brown, his son-in-law, Donald K. Piragoff and his nephew, Bruce M. Brown. In 1942, Irwin enlisted in the US Army and trained to be an officer in the engineer corps and a rifle marksman. He fought in WW II in the European Theatre of Operations, in the infantry as a communications officer and rifleman, in particular at the "Battle of the Bulge", in Belgium and the Netherlands in 1944-45, and thereafter in Germany until the end of the war. At the end of the war, he went to the Buchenwald Concentration Camp where he witnessed prisoners who were still present. His name is recorded in the National World War II Memorial – Registry of Remembrances, in Washington, DC, as well as is the name of his only and elder brother, E. Bruce Brown, who died in 1945 as a B-24 bomber pilot serving in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. After the war, Irwin and Marjorie Brown both found positions teaching in Camden, New York, where they lived until December 2011. Irwin taught Industrial Arts at the Camden High School until 1955 when, after completing graduate studies in guidance counseling at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, he obtained a position nearby in Rome, New York, as a guidance counsellor at the Rome Free Academy, and counseled there until his retirement. Marjorie was an elementary school teacher at Camden Elementary School, until her retirement. Irwin was very active in the Camden community. He tutored students, taught hunter safety training, and was treasurer of their church for 20 years (United Methodist Church). He was always ready to assist neighbors and others in town who required assistance. He was an avid boater, fisherman, snowshoer, snowmobiler, hunter and golfer. He was a member of the Freemasons and the American Legion. In retirement, Irwin and Marjorie enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Canada in their Airstream trailer, including as far as Alaska and Newfoundland. In December 2011, they moved to West Melbourne, Florida, a climate in which it is easier for seniors to live. They led an active retirement life in Florida, enjoying friends and cultural events. Irwin lovingly cared for Marjorie until her death in Florida in 2018. Nevertheless, his heart remained in New York State, where he and Marjorie were born and bred. Irwin loved people, enjoyed their company, was open and generous to everyone. He was patient, never became visibly angry. He was a true gentleman, and was well-respected and loved by all. Until January of his 102nd year, he remained active, reading books, dining out with friends, and taking his daily walk when the weather permitted. Until 100 years, he continued to golf. Prior to the arrival of the pandemic in 2020, he also played cards in a bridge club and, in 2018-2019, was fit enough to travel with his daughter, Carole, and son-in-law, Donald, to the Bahamas, to France to visit the Normandy Beaches where he landed in the summer of 1944, and to the island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean. We want to thank all of the wonderful personal caregivers who cared for him in his later years, and the doctors, nurses and therapists who cared for Dad in his last weeks of life. A Funeral Service to Celebrate Irwin's life will be held on May 1, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. from the Camden United Methodist Church, 132 Main Street, Camden, NY. Interment will be in Mt. Adnah Cemetery, Fulton, NY. Arrangements are in care of LaRobardiere Funeral Home, 109 Main Street, Camden, NY. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Student Scholarship Fund, c/o the Camden United Methodist Church, which Irwin and Marjorie Brown were instrumental in founding. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Irwin, please visit our Tree Store.