James Franklin Brown

BROWN, James Franklin, 87, of Abbot, at Bangor, March 22, 2013. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 1, at the Abbot Village Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Crosby & Neal, Guilford.

ABBOT – James Franklin Brown passed into heaven on March 22, 2013, at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. He was born May 3, 1925, the youngest son of Roy and Evelyn Brown of Abbot, whose family had been in Abbot for several generations.
    Jim’s father and grandfather owned several businesses in Abbot. He grew up around his grandfather’s sawmill and his father’s shingle mill on Kingsbury stream. His early life was spent hunting, fishing and helping in the fields and mill.
    Jim’s whole family was musical, and he spent many hours in music lessons, family entertainments and public performances. Over the years, Jim played in several bands and sang in several choirs. Among these groups were The Four Joes, the Monson Store Jammers and the Dexter Community Choir.
    Jim attended schools in Abbot and Guilford before enlisting and serving honorably in the United States Navy. As did most young men of his generation, Jim served his country during World War II. He served in the Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Lindenwald. He had two brothers who were also in the service during the War, and his mother had a large map upon which she attempted to keep track of their war-time movements.
    After the war, Jim came home to Abbot, bought a farm, and married the love of his life, Mary (Buzzell) Brown. Together they made a success of their farm and raised their family amid work, music and love. Jim also worked for several years at Portland Monson Slate Company. Jim and Mary were both involved in the affairs of the town of Abbot and in the Abbot Historical Society.
    Jim and Mary sold their farm and built a home in Abbot which they also sold and built another home on Lake Hebron in Monson. During this time, Jim and Mary became founding members of the United Church of Christ in Monson, where they worshipped and created wonderful music for all to share. In later years, Jim and Mary moved back to Abbot and built a home on family land. There they lived together until Mary passed away in 2003.
    Jim was predeceased by three brothers, Charles Willis, Thomas and Anton; a sister, Norma Brown Bennett Lussier Herring; as well as a grandson, Karl James Bollenbacher. He was also predeceased by his beloved wife of more than 50 years, Mary (Buzzell) Brown.
    He is survived by his daughter, Mallaney and son-in-law, David Turcotte of Norridgewock; a granddaughter, Yvonne Bollenbacher, also of Norridgewock; his son and daughter-in-law, Joel and Paula Brown of Abbot; a grandson, Adam Brown also of Abbot, a grandson, Jason Brown and his wife, Jessica of Sangerville and their children; his special delights, his great-grandchildren, Jordan Riley Brown, Jonah James Brown, and Emilynn Mae Brown. He will also be missed by several nieces and nephews among who are Joyce Eggleston, Joanne Bennett and Katie Bernier.
    Friends may call Friday, May 31, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Crosby & Neal, 21 Oak Street in Guilford. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 1, at the Abbot Village Cemetery, with Pastor Ray Beless officiating. For an online guest register, go to www.CrosbyNeal.com.