GLOUCESTER: Commander Frederick P. Brown, USN (Ret.) passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 77 on January 7, 2008, after a long battle with liver cancer. He was born in Westfield, Massachusetts on June 28, 1930 to Daniel T. and Anna (Ferriter) Brown.
During his early years, the family lived in Watertown and then moved to Lanesville when Fred was 12 years old. He was educated in the Gloucester Public Schools and graduated from Gloucester High School in 1948. He then attended the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. During his senior year at the Academy, he was appointed to the highest cadet rank as Regimental Commander. Upon his graduation in 1954, Fred served as Third Officer in the Merchant Marines aboard Texaco tankers prior to commencing his active duty in the US Navy.
His Naval assignments included duty on four submarines, two Fleet Staffs and a tour of duty in Vietnam. Commander Brown graduated from the Naval Post Graduate School in 1972 with a MS in Management.
Upon his retirement from the US Navy in 1976, after serving for 21 years, Commander Brown returned to Gloucester and held several positions in city government. He was the Executive Director of both the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation and the Gloucester Redevelopment Authority and was subsequently appointed as the first Community Development Director for the City of Gloucester. Fred was instrumental in the initiation of Gloucester Dry Dock.
Fred was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. He also enjoyed playing golf with his wife as active members of the Rockport Golf Club.
He leaves his wife of 53 years, Jane (Heywood) Brown, two daughters: Laura Jane Brown of Greenwich, Conn., Nancy Lee Virgilio, wife of Joseph Virgilio of Gloucester, a son Daniel Thomas Brown of Gloucester and three grandchildren Kailee Anne Virgilio of Gloucester; Rocky Boydston Virgilio and his wife Christy (Aitken) of Arroyo Grande, Calif. and Marissa Jane Virgilio of Gloucester, a sister Anne Elizabeth “Betty” Cauley of Holyoke and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, Anne Elizabeth “Bonnie” Brown. Each time the sun sets over Ipswich Bay his loved ones will remember him fondly and how much he treasured that golden glow on the horizon.
Family and friends are welcome to attend a memorial service for Fred on Saturday, January 26, 2008 in St. John’s Episcopal Church, 48 Middle Street, Gloucester at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. John’s Episcopal Church or to Hospice of the North Shore, 10 Elm Street, Danvers, MA 01923.