Published October 25, 2019
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Walter J. Brown, 91, died at the C.W. Young VA Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla. on October 6, 2019.
Walter was born in Boston on September 26, 1928 to the late Walter C. and Emelie (Myers) Brown. He was raised in Cambridge, graduated from St. Mary’s Grammar School in Cambridge and attended Cambridge Ringe & Latin. Mr. Brown entered the service at the age of 17 and served in the US Marines with pride during WWII and the Korean War.
Walter lived in Melrose for over 60 years, enjoyed winters in Boca Raton Florida with his late wife Jeanne for 25 years, where he was a member of Sandlefoot Country Club. He worked as a letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Melrose for 29 years, retiring in 1984. Walter had the Melrose Hospital route for 18 years and 11 years delivering mail in the Cork City section of Melrose. He was very involved over the years with the local veterans’ organizations.
He was a member and past Commander of the VFW Post #2394 in Melrose, was part of the drill team performing military honors at numerous funerals, was all-State Commander for the State of Massachusetts and a life member of the D.A.V. (Disabled American Veterans) Chapter 27 in Somerville. Mr. Brown was also a life member of the Melrose Elks # 1031, a life member of the Melrose Fish and Game Club and a member of Mount Hood Golf Course in Melrose for over 50 years. He was an avid golfer, walker and reader and was a part of the “Greatest Generation.”
But above all he was most proud of being the “Patriarch” of his wonderful family.
Walter was the beloved husband of 65 years to the late Jeanne A. (Jacobsen) Brown. Loving father of Deborah J. Brown and Walter J. Brown Jr. both of Florida. Special friend of Elizabeth Storms of Fla. Cherished grandfather of Kevin Brown and Elvira of Penn., Scott Brown and Chelsea of N.Y. and Kristen Rynerson and Robert of Fla. Proud great-grandfather of Edith Brown amd Ethan Rynerson. Longtime friend of Robert and Rita VanKirk of Melrose. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St. Melrose, on Sunday, October 27 from 2-5 p.m. Funeral procession from Gately Funeral Home on Monday morning at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Church, 9 Herbert St. Melrose at 10 a.m. Interment with Military Honors at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Walter’s name to Sisters of Notre Dame, 30 Jeffrey’s Neck Rd., Ipswich, MA 01938. To send a message of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.com.
