Robert Brown

SOUTH PARIS — Robert Louis Brown, 77, of South Paris, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 at his home on Elm Hill, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Fryeburg, Dec. 11, 1934, the son of Shirley and Beatrice Brown. He attended Fryeburg area schools as a young boy then completed his education at Fryeburg Academy. He joined the U.S. Army during peacetime, serving his country proudly.

He worked several years as a mill worker at Norway Shoe. At the closure of the shoe shop he began working at Paris Manufacturing as a machine set-up man, where “Bob” was well-liked and became known as a man who gave his best and always had a “can do attitude.” He always prided himself on the fact that his machines ran well, nearly never breaking down. Upon closure of Paris Manufacturing, he began working at Cornwall’s, once again holding a position of machine set-up man. He retired at 71 years of age.

He was known for his woodworking abilities and made many handcrafted wooden gifts for his children and grandchildren, gifts of cutting boards, rolling pins, foot stools, high chairs and sleds.

He enjoyed celebrating the holidays and getting his family gathered together. He enjoyed wildlife of all kinds as well as the joy he received from his pets, Teddy his dog, Tom and Max his rescue cats, and found much joy in his visits with his “granddogs” and feeding the birds. He also enjoyed Saturday “nights out” with his beloved wife of 35 years, Cheryl, and was very proud of the home he built all by himself on Elm Hill.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Cheryl Hanscom Brown of South Paris; his six children, Teresa Curtis of Oxford, Marilyn Swan of Bethel, Connie Bergen of Kennebunk, Robert Louis of Poland, Suzanne Atkinson of Cornville and Natalie Patch of New Hampshire; his only remaining sibling, a sister, Marjorie Douglas of Grand Prairie, Texas; sister-in-law, Sally Brown of Fryeburg; 15 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Shirley and Beatrice Brown; grandmother, Nettie Patch, at the age of 110; brothers, Shirley Brown and Norman Pelletier; and son-in-law, Craig Curtis.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, with a funeral service at 11 a.m. at Oxford Hills and Weston Funeral Services, 1037 Main Street, Oxford, followed by a burial at Riverside Annex in South Paris.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Robert’s memory to Responsible Pet Care, P.O. Box 378, Norway, ME 04268.