Obituary: John Joseph Brown, 75

John Joseph Brown of Scarsdale died on Thursday, April 18, 2013. He was 75.

John was the son of the late John and Angela (nee Skeahan) Brown. He was born in Manhattan, NY, and attended catholic schools until he joined the army at the age of 17.  He served in Korea and Japan. 

John joined the New York City Fire Department, which he served in for 11 years.  In 1967, he joined Catholics for Latin America, a lay missionary organization inspired by the teachings of Pope John XXIII.  He served for a year and a half in Favelas (Shanty Towns) in Brazil, helping the poor with their medical and documentation enabling them to be employed. 

Upon returning from Brazil, he worked as an instructor in a drug rehabilitation center, New Hope Manor, Graymoor, Garrison.  This center was made famous by Fr. Dan Egan, popularly known as “The Junky Priest.”

There at New Hope Manor, John studied the scripture taught by Fr. Aquinas Thomas, S.A. For many years thereafter, he taught scripture to small groups in parishes. Then with his wife Regina and a group of dedicated Catholic friends, they initiated a weekly high school of religion at Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers. 

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Regina (nee Ball) Brown, his sister in law Agnes Ball, her niece Adrianne Foster-Bexley and cousins Edward and Theresa Skeahan, their two daughters Erin and Stephani, Kevin Skeahan and John and Eileen Skeahan and their daughter, Margaret.

Calling hours will be at Flynn Memorial Home, 1652 Central Park Ave. in Yonkers, on Sunday, April 21, 2013, from 3 to 7 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 22, at 10 am, at Sacred Heart Church on Central Park Avenue in Hartsdale.  Interment will follow at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, Yonkers.