Charles A. Brown

Charles A. Brown, 73, of Bethlehem, PA went home to our Lord on Tuesday, December 02, 2008. After a seven-week battle at Hahnemann Hospital, he passed peacefully while surrounded by his family and loved ones. As in life and in death, he fought to the bitter end.

Charlie was born on March 25, 1935, in Bethlehem, the son of the late Mitchell and Mary Briody Brown. He was the seventh child of eleven. On January 15, 1955, he married Germaine A. Dick and together they had 13 children. They celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary last January.

Charlie worked for the City of Bethlehem for over 33 years. He started in 1974 in the Department of Parks and Public Property as a foreman and became superintendent, in 1977, acting director in 1978, superintendent of Parks Maintenance, in 1980, superintendent of maintenance in the department of Public Works and 1988 was appointed director of the Parks and Public Property department. He had long been a man with a vision when it came to the promotion of parks, recreation and the establishment of related facilities in the City of Bethlehem especially Sand Island and the newly named Charles A. Brown Ice House. He was devoted to all people of this City. During the course of his employment he achieved numerous accomplishments, some of which included having renovated a 100 year-old ice house into a performing arts center, transformed Sand Island from an abandoned industrial site into one of the city's most beautiful open-spaced parks; turned a former wheat field into the Monocacy field complex, constructed a roof at the Ice Rink, designed and built the lighted Saucon Park ballfields, West Side Park, DAR House, the Rose Garden, the Japanese Tea Garden, the Police Memorial, Veterans' Park, the Sculpture Garden, City's First Dog Park, and the Steelworkers' Memorial Park. The Ice House was renamed the Charles A. Brown Ice House in his honor in June, 2007 shortly after his retirement.

Until 1985, he owned and operated Charlie's Market, originally on Spring Street, before moving to Sixth Street in South Bethlehem. He was given the title of "Mayor of Sixth Street."

He served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War from 1952-55.

Throughout his life, he was dedicated to the youth of the community. He coached little league baseball as well as CYO basketball, football and wrestling at S. S. Simon and Jude and S. S. Cyril and Methodius Schools for many years. In 1974 he founded the Saints Knee-Hi football team. He was instrumental in developing numerous other civic youth organizations.

In 1959, he was chosen as the Bethlehem Jaycees Young Man of the Year. He was involved in local politics for many years. He was acknowledged by the Bethlehem Boys Club as the Coach and Friend for All. He received an award from the Lehigh Valley Foundation National Hall of Fame for his contribution to football. He was a parole sponsor for delinquent youth and men in the area. He was a volunteer youth worker at the Valley Youth House and later employed as a counselor from 1970-74. In 1993, he received the Bethlehem Area Jaycees Lifetime Achievement Award. July 10, 1993 was named "Charlie Brown Day in Bethlehem" by Mayor Ken Smith in recognition for his dedication to the city that he loved and served so well. The Bethlehem Saints awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. In 2007, he was recognized by Lehigh Little League for a lifetime achievement of community service.

Charlie leaves behind his wife, Germaine, children, Dr. Anthony Brown married to Georgene Kametz Brown of Medford, NJ, Charmaine, Michael married to Diane Sabota Brown, Patrick, Mary Brown Gotzon married to Dave Gotzon, Bernard married to Melissa Barber Brown, John married to Cindy Handwerk Brown, Ann Brown married to Moises Rodriguez, Christopher of Scottsdale AZ, Rose Brown Vash, Kathleen Brown Knowlton married to Robert Knowlton of Drexel Hill, PA and Jayne Brown Csaszar married to Louis Csaszar. He was preceded in death by his daughter Christine Marie Brown who passed on October 11, 1966.

In addition, there are 31 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

He is also survived by brothers Harris, Richard and Joseph Brown and sisters Anna Marie Lipko and Elizabeth Smith.

One of his last missions in life which he was very passionate about was creating a religious grotto in his backyard that was dedicated to his family.

Charlie lived his life in service and dedication to others and to the City of Bethlehem. Charlie left his mark upon every person he met. He loved life and inspired all who knew him. He will be sadly missed by all.

Arrangements have been made with the guidance of Connell Funeral Home, Inc., Bethlehem.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 5, 2008 at St. Anne's Catholic Church from 2-4 PM and again on Friday evening from 7-9 PM at the church. Another visitation will be held at the church on Saturday December 6, 2008 from 10-11AM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anne's Catholic Church on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 11AM

Interment will be held at Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to St. Anne's Catholic Church 450 Washington Ave. Bethlehem PA 18017 and/or donations may be made to the Charles A. Brown Memorial Fund to be used towards scholarships at local learning institutions c/o Connell Funeral Home, Inc. 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem PA 18018