Richard A. Brown, age 74, of 145 Townhall Road West, Summit Township, passed away on Thursday evening, October 9, 2008 surrounded by his loving family at his home where he resided for 52 years. Born in Union City on July 14, 1934, he was a son of the late Orey and Cecile Brown. He married Pamula Phillips on October 27, 1956, and she survives.
Brown, Richard A.Richard attended Union City Schools and graduated from Academy High School. He entered the US Marine Corps and served from 1954-56 before returning home to Erie County where he began employment with Zurn Industries. He remained a faithful employee at Zurn’s for 39 years until his retirement in 1995.
Active in the Summit Township community, Richard was a former Boy Scout Master of Troop #72, a coach for the Summit Little League, a member of the Summit Lions Club, and an assistant advisor for the Summit/Waterford Leos. He had many interests including fishing, hunting, and archery, and he enjoyed bowling and was a skilled woodworker. Many family members and friends have received gifts of handmade toys, furniture, and crafts that Richard made. He also loved his family and his dogs. He will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and as an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Go Steelers!
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Harold “Shorty” Brown, and an infant sister, Helen Brown.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Pamula Phillips Brown; four daughters, Becky Zoe Kreider Buss (Mort) of Erie, Carrie Jo Mowery (James) of Edinboro, Debbie Binney (Greg) of Millcreek, and Angie Eve Towne (Brian) also of Millcreek; a son, Burt Orey Richard Brown (Dawn) of Summit; 14 grandchildren: Sara, Travis, Chad, Nick, Mandy, Keith, Ashley, Steven, Katelyn, Robert, Severina, Amanda, Jessica, and Jake; 2 great-grandchildren, Austin and Katrina; his sister, Arlene Halm of Erie; his sister-in-law, Elsie Ann Brown of Wattsburg; several nieces and nephews; and his best friend, Al Dundon.
Friends may call at Van Matre Funeral Home, West First and Walnut Streets, Waterford, on Saturday from 7-9pm and on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9pm. Funeral services will be held at Summit United Methodist Church on Monday at 11:00am, officiated by Rev. Lee Pomeroy. Burial with military honors will be in Waterford Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Summit United Methodist Church, or the American Diabetes Association, or the John Kanzius Cancer Research Fund.