Vance C. Brown obituary

Vance C. Brown
1946-2018

CLINTON — Vance C. Brown, 71, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, surrounded by his family.
He was born June 3, 1946, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, the son of Ernest Clayton and Mary Annie (Bishop) Brown.

He grew up and attended schools in Perry and Machias, and graduated from the University of Maine in Machias in 1969, with a bachelor’s degree. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Maine, in Orono, in 1976. He was employed for 33 years at Frankfort Elementary School as a fifth grade teacherm where he loved and was beloved by his many students over the years. He was honored with the 1993 Outstanding Teacher of American History by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Vance was known by many names, including Mr. Brown, Derby, Cap and Fancy Pants, but the two most important names to him were Dad and Grampy. He was an avid outdoorsman, loving hunting and fishing, a teacher, a distance runner, a photographer, an artist, a writer, a civil war reenactor, a train robber, a pirate and a rat rod guy. He loved Labrador retrievers and always had a dog by his side.
He had many interests and always tried to explore them with his family and friends. He lived a long, full life and will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his life partner, Cindy Laforge; son, Ben Brown; daughter, Beth Mitchell and husband Joe; step-daughter, Andrea Howe and husband Bob; grandchildren, Clayton and Tyler Brown, Logan, Lillie, and Sam Mitchell, and Wyatt Howe; former wife and mother of his two children, Martha Brown and special friends Bonnie and Al Dyer.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Vance’s memory to North Perry United Methodist Church, PO Box 145, Perry, ME 04667
Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan.