Ronald J. Brown, Sr., 66

The wind stilled only for a moment on a warm, humid summer day, as Ronald J. Brown, Sr., 66, peacefully took his seat beside the Lord, and made his first cast into the Master's Fishing Hole, on Thursday, August 4, 2022. Born August 21, 1955, he was the son of the late Leonard and Mathilda (Laplante) Brown, and raised in Van Buren and Keegan, Maine.

Ron worked many years for Lajoie Farms, Cyr Plantation, in all aspects of sowing and harvesting potatoes and grain. Operating the windrower, planting grain, and hauling the harvest to the processors were some of his favorite times, but Ron's personality shined when the crew met at the shop or potato house, and the group's jokes and laughter would echo over the acres of ripened potatoes. Ron also worked several years with Van Buren Highway Department and spent many long hours snow plowing and working the town's transfer station.

Family was always Ron's utmost priority, and he and his wife cherished their children, grandchildren, extended family, and many friends as they visited from near and far. He never waited for holidays to celebrate, and all were welcome to the many cookouts, barbeques, and bonfires he and his wife hosted through the years. Ron also enjoyed tramping around the woods in pursuit of the bountiful deer and birds of northern Maine and triumphantly filled a coveted moose tag. When hunting season wasn't in, he was perfectly content casting his fishing line into a lake or river, sip a frosty beverage, and reminisce about the joys of family and life.

Though sorely missed, his memory and legacy will forever be remembered by his beloved wife of 49 years, Gertrude (Michaud) Brown of Keegan; three children, Tammy Searles and her husband Karl of Keegan, Ron Brown Jr. and his longtime companion Natasha Levesque of Van Buren, and Cindy Thibeault and her husband Bryan of Keegan; six grandchildren, Erika, Sarah, Garey, Mckenna, Finley & Zagoria; two great grandchildren, Tanner & Ashton; five siblings, Jackie Labreck, Richard Brown, Drena Craft, Vinyl Brown, all of Van Buren, and Raymond Brown of Connecticut; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends spread near and far.

Joining him along the beautiful shores of heaven, Ron has reunited with his predeceased parents, eight siblings, James Brown, Geneva Brown, Geraldine Powell, Joanne Ayotte, "Jack" Brown, Gene Brown, Lorraine Labreck, and Diane Brown, and many family and friends who got to the fishin' hole earlier.

At Ron's request, and to avoid frightening the skittery fish, his memorial will be held privately and at the convenience of his family. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren.

www.LajoieFuneralHome.com