Alan Brown "looked out for Nantucket's heart and soul"
OBITUARY
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
With the recent death of long-time resident Alan Brown, members of the community are lamenting the loss of one of a generation of senior citizens who many considered the lifeblood of the island. Mr. Brown, an avid Town Meeting attendee whose ideas always revolved around improving quality of life, died at Nantucket Cottage Hospital on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at the age of 82.

ROB BENCHLEY FILE Alan Brown in a 1993 photo.

"He was certainly a fixture at Town Meeting and a committed advocate outspoken on causes he believed in. His voice will certainly be missed," said Sarah Alger, Town Meeting moderator. "He always sat in the same place and spoke out on issues he cared about. I feel like we're losing so many government mainstays."

Mr. Brown was born in New York, N.Y. on June 27, 1925. After graduating from high school in Scarsdale, N.Y. in 1941, Mr. Brown tried to join the U.S. Navy but was turned down because of poor vision in one eye. He attended Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., then served a year and a half in the First Army at Fort Dix, N.J., was honorably discharged in 1946 and in 1947 graduated from Williams College with a bachelor's degree in economics.

In 1948, Mr. Brown entered the advertising business in New York City, rising to an account representative in 1955. He wed Betty Huston and the couple lived in Salem, N.Y. where they sold printing and newspaper advertising in Westchester County. In 1972 the Browns moved permanently to Nantucket, having owned a home here since 1970. Mr. Brown's first employment was at island shipyards, then until 1980 he worked as a carpenter and painter, and was a caretaker for the rest of his life.

"It is with great sadness to hear of Alan's passing. He will be missed immensely by all of us and never forgotten," said Renee Ceely, executive director of the Nantucket Housing Authority where Mr. Brown served as the state appointed board member for 15 years. "Alan represented many things and fought for many causes in this community. He never had a false face and always shared his opinions with the rest of us, either humorous or serious, in many eloquent letters to the editor. He was without a doubt one of Nantucket's most committed citizens. He served on many municipal boards and always looked out for Nantucket's heart and soul - its people.

"It was an honor and a pleasure to have worked with Alan," said Ceely. "May all of us learn from his unselfish dedication to the community, his generous heart and his fight to the end to make Nantucket a better place."

Planning Director Andrew Vorce is very familiar with Mr. Brown's fervor for making the island environment pleasant to live in, partly exhibited in his attempts to convince voters to pass articles limiting the number of vehicles allowed on Nantucket. Mr. Brown served on the Planning Commission as the Housing Authority's representative.

"He was very committed to the island and he backed it up by serving on these various boards well into his later years," said Vorce. "The great thing about Alan was that you always knew where you stood with him. I think that's somewhat missing now. He always brought his views to the table in a civil way. You could have normal conversations and disagreements and proceed onward. He was a gentleman."

Those words were echoed by his friend Robert Mooney and fellow Town Meeting enthusiasts Riva and Mort Schlesinger.

"He was a fine, quiet gentleman," said Mooney. "He was greatly interested in the welfare of Nantucket and whether you agreed with him or not he was very sincere in his messages."

Agreeing with Town Clerk Catherine Stover's description of Mr. Brown as a long-time fixture in town politics and someone who always held an opinion on matters at hand, Mort Schlesinger said he will miss the jokes they shared about town topics over the 30 years they were acquainted.

"We always talked about island things. We didn't always agree, but we talked about them," said Riva Schlesinger.

Mr. Brown was pre-deceased by his wife. He is survived by a brother, Charles Brown of Northport, N.Y. and his sister-in-law Martha Brown. He is also survived by several cousins and nephews. A private family memorial service is being planned for a later date.

In lieu of donations in his name, a dear friend of Mr. Brown's suggested that the most appropriate way to honor his memory is for people to do a kind and thoughtful deed for someone

in need. I