Edison Brown

Edison Brown, age 97, formerly of Youngstown, NY, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2014 in hospice at Community North Hospital, Indianapolis, In. After a stroke in 2012, Ed moved to Allisonville Meadows Nursing Home, Fishers, In. He was born in Buffalo, New York, on December 17, 1916 to the late Sophia (Brown) Allen nee Haseley. The family moved to Niagara Falls early in his life where they resided on Cleveland Ave near 18th Street. He attended Cleveland Ave. Elementary, North Jr. High School and graduated from Niagara Falls High School. He participated in many sports and was a member of the NFHS basketball team that participated in the inaugural City High School Tourney. He was a catcher on many fast pitch softball teams and recalled playing many games at the 22nd Street Playground. Also an avid golfer, Edison was a former City of Niagara Falls Junior Champion, and the runner-up in the Buffalo District Boys Division in 1932. He recorded two holes in one during his golfing career. He was a member of Niagara Frontier Country Club for 39 years where he often volunteered on committees. Ed last played golf at age 90. He was known for using a wooden shaft putter. As a bowler, he participated in many WNY area bowling leagues and tournaments over the years and always used a non-traditional two finger bowling ball.
After high school he went to work at Kimberly Clark in Niagara Falls, where he became a Pipe Fitter. He worked there for more than 30 years and participated on many industrial league basketball and softball teams. Mr. Brown interrupted his career during the 1940's to enlist in the United States Navy during World War II. He served proudly for three years in the South Pacific Theater with the First Construction Battalion (SEABEES). Upon returning to the Niagara Region he married the former Winifred Langley. They moved to Youngstown in 1949. Winifred preceded Edison in death on Mother's Day 1981. After the sale of the Kimberly plant in the 1970's he held other positions and was active in the local residential real estate market until his retirement.
Mr. Brown was a former member of the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Department, Youngstown Exempt Fire Department, where he served for a period of time as Secretary. He often promoted Youngstown Labor Day activities for both organizations. During the 1960's he personally organized several "Sports Nights" in Youngstown by bringing in local celebrities as motivational speakers for the area youth. During the same period he was active in local politics serving as a volunteer on the "Youngstown Youth Commission". Mr. Brown was elected Mayor of Youngstown for one term in the 1960's. He was a member of V.F.W. Post 313, the Moose Lodge Down River Post in Lewiston, and was elected into the Niagara Falls Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
He is survived by son James E. Brown (Pamela Weissman) grandson Maxwell J. Brown, sister Audrey(Ray) Williams and brother James (Alice) Allen, four nieces, six nephews, and several great nieces, and great nephews. His sister Virginia Kendall preceded him in death in 2011. He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Lewiston, N. Y.
The family wishes to thank all the friends who have shared their time and given their friendship and love to "Mr. Brown" over the years. Memorial contributions may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church, 915 Oneida Street, Lewiston, N.Y. 14902, where there will be service honoring his life on Friday August 15, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. Mr. Brown will be laid to rest at Oakland Rural Cemetery in Youngstown following the service.