Obituary of James L. Brown

Age 87, of Elmira, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2015 in Johnson City. Jim was born in Johnson City NY on November 3, 1927, the son of George R. and Eva (Beuket) Brown. He was predeceased by sons, Thomas R., Daniel J., Christopher M. Brown, brother George Brown, and sister Marilyn Hoover. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Alice Coffey Brown; daughters, Maureen A. Brown of Voorheesville NY with children, Kevin (Kirstin) Worden and Sara Worden; Barbara E. Lambert of Nashua NH with daughters, Allison and Jennifer; sons, Michael G. Brown of Pittsburgh PA, James L. Brown, Jr. of Austin TX, Patrick J. Brown of Burnet TX, Timothy R. Brown with wife Judith of Waverly NY and daughter Nicole (Martijn) Buning; great grandchildren Helen Worden, Maria Worden and Thijs Buning; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Janet Brown of Vestal, Gerald T. Coffey, Joseph M. Coffey with wife Margaret all of Binghamton; several nieces and nephews. Jim was a U S Navy veteran having served with the Atlantic Fleet at the end of WW II. After leaving the military, Jim went on to earn his BA and Master's degrees from University of Buffalo. He taught in several schools in NY State and ended the last 22 years of his career at Corning Community College. While at CCC, where he began in 1961 as an instructor in biology and chemistry, he was an important force in charting the course that CCC would eventually take in its science and technology fields. Jim retired as full professor from CCC in 1983. In 1985 Jim won the Sullivan Award from the American Chemical Society for his contribution to the society and for initiating, with other ACS members, the Corning Chem Bowl. This program has been emulated by other educational centers throughout the United States and around the world. This award also acknowledges Jim's other innovative programs at CCC and in the Southern Tier including working on the Chemung River Basin Regional Water Resources Planning and Development Board. Jim was a long time communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. He had a deep love for nature and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Jim and Alice were long-time members of Relaxed Squares. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Sunday, March 8, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Donations in Jim's memory would be gratefully accepted to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, 388 Upper Oakwood Ave., Elmira NY 14903 or a charity of one's choice.