A lifetime resident of the Iroquois area, Clare Brown passed away at the Kingston General Hospital on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, following a brief illness. He was in his 75th year.
As a young boy growing up in Iroquois, Clare attended the local public and high schools, and enjoyed all school activities, particularly football, basketball and cadets.
It was during a high school Sadie Hawkins dance that a certain girl asked him to go with her, and that started a lifelong love story. He and Cay Locke married in 1959, and were blessed with their two daughters, Laurie and Terry.
Clare went to work at Canada Starch in shipping and moved quickly into distribution. He enjoyed the relationships developed with the drivers.
Later he moved to buying corn, and the creation of his office team of girls that were jokingly referred to as Charlie’s angels, Ann, Lisa and Deb.
His final position in commodities allowed him to do what he loved best, taking off in the afternoon behind the wheel of a car, driving those country roads he loved and kibitzing with the farmers about the latest corn prices and futures.
Clare and Cay enjoyed their early married life with endless activities with their friends, Friday night card games, snowmobiling, dancing at the Haddo school house and Legion and just plain old house parties that ended when the sun came up.
Their girls were raised in a way that made them feel that their family did not end at their doorstep but rather was always open to include extended family, friends and neighbours at all times of day and night.
Their friends were always welcome and the games continued for the next generation along with the endless cookie jar. And, the car was always ready to go to friends Junior B hockey games, ball games or latest teen event.
Clare had a wide variety of interests and community commitments. He was a 52 year member of Friendly Brother Masonic Lodge and 30 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and he served in many positions within each fraternity.
He served as chairman of the Winchester District Memorial Hospital board and served three terms on the Iroquois town council. He worked on numerous Legion fastball tournaments, served on the Canadian Industrial traffic league and was a valued member of the Iroquois United Church Board. Lately he served on the Iroquois Marina Association.
Clare was the kind of dad that never said no to his kids or grandkids when they asked for help. He enjoyed boating, fishing and particularly his hunting group in Cardinal.
In later years, he and Cay enjoyed travelling taking in an Alaskan cruise, Banff, Arizona, Florida, Mexico, Barbados and Myrtle Beach.
After retiring, Clare and Kay purchased a camper and joined the Masonic Camping Group, which they enjoyed so very much, making many new friends and travelling through Ontario and New York State for rallies.
Last March, they sold their Iroquois home and moved to the Marriners Building in Prescott. From the vantage point of their new waterfront condominium, Clare enjoyed watching the boaters, divers, swimmers and the concerts in the park. New friends and neighbours were made and the old friends in Iroquois cherished.
Clare was a devoted son to Ambert and Nelda of Morrisburg, who are left to mourn him, along with his brother Ron and his wife Connie of Iroquois, a sister-in-law Isabelle Locke of Prescott and many dear nieces and nephews.
Clare is survived and sadly missed by his wife Cay (Locke), his daughters Laurie (John) Kolff of Denver, North Carolina and Terry (Jim) Grimes of Brockville. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Lyndsey, Andrew, Jaime, Aaron and Ryan.
A Masonic Memorial Service was held at the Iroquois United Church on Saturday, November 16th at 2 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life, which was conducted by Rev. Valerie Vande Wiele, assisted by Rev. Doug Carnegie. Music was provided by the Masonic Men’s Choir, of which Clare was a member. They were accompanied by Margaret Whisselle.
Donations to the Frederick Eaton Bursary Fund or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.
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