Published March 27, 2020
MELROSE — Aubrey Clifford “Cliff” Brown Sr., 90, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at home on Saturday, March 21, 2020.
Cliff was born in Chelsea on February 25, 1930, one of nine children of the late James and Selena (Noseworthy) Brown. Raised near the end of the Great Depression, Cliff started working at a young age to help support the family, and eventually earned his GED. He worked days and went to school at night to further his education in civil engineering. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War as a Staff Sergeant, before his honorable discharge in 1952. He met Marie Penney while stationed at Fort Pepperell, St. John’s, Newfoundland and was married on November 16, 1951 in Chelsea. Cliff and Marie settled in Melrose to raise a family of six children. From 1954 until 1992, Cliff worked as the Production Manager for I. Ginsberg & Sons, a manufacturer of merchandising fixtures.
Proud of his Canadian roots, Cliff enjoyed trips to Ontario to visit his family. Every summer for two weeks, the family returned to the family farmland to pitch hay, and milk cows. Humble, quiet, and self-reliant, Cliff prioritized hard work, and family values throughout his life. He shared his dry sense of humor with all those around him, and found joy in time spent with his grandchildren who all lovingly called him “Garfa.”
A skilled carpenter, Cliff could do anything with his hands. He renovated and built additions on several houses over the years, and crafted beautiful cabinetry for many people. He was also a longtime member of the Mount Tabor Masonic Lodge in Manchester, Mass.
Cliff will be deeply missed, but always lovingly remembered for his devotion to family and his very dry sense of humor.
Cliff was the beloved husband of Adelaide Marie (Penney) Brown with whom he shared 68 years of marriage. Devoted father of Aubrey Clifford Brown, Jr. and his wife Sheila Driscoll of Melrose, Linda Dalton and her husband William of Wakefield, Lori Brown of Melrose, Dr. Jeffrey Brown and his wife Dr. Lisa Scheib of Merrimack, N.H., Robert Brown and his girlfriend Lisa Minion of Windham, N.H., and Joyce Teixeira and her husband Chris of Nashua, N.H. Dear brother of Marion Martin of Calif., and the late Don Brown, Roy Brown, Jessie Brown, Marguerite Arsenault, James Brown, Blanche Lange, and Tricia Walker. Proud grandfather of Billy Dalton, Jr. and his wife Megan, Casey Hausmann and her husband Brian, Holly Dalton and her boyfriend Brenton, Perry Doherty, Colin Doherty, Meave Doherty and her husband Clement, Chelsea Brown, Dylan Brown, Zaide Brown, Randal Brown, Robert Brown, Jr., Christopher Brown, Clifford Teixeira, and Natalie Teixeira. Loving great-grandfather of JJ, Billy III, and Thomas. Loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Due to the ongoing public health crisis in the world and with genuine concern for the people in the community, Cliff’s family will gather privately to honor his life at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. For online tribute, or to express your condolences please visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com
