Arthur ‘Artie’ Richard Brown of Hampton Bays Dies September 28

Arthur “Artie” Richard Brown of Hampton Bays died on September 28 at his home, surrounded by his family after a 10-month battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). He was 62.

He was born in Brooklyn on February 18, 1960, to Arthur and Rita (Sprence) Brown. After his family left the city, they moved to Lake Ronkonkoma, where he graduated from Sachem High School in 1978. He then attended Suffolk Community College before making his home in Hampton Bays. He had worked as a land surveyor until his diagnosis in March of this year.

Many have known Brown for his witty sense of humor and his ability to make the world smile. He was a man who dedicated his life to his family, friends, his faith, and his community. He was a proud 33-year member of the Hampton Bays Volunteer Fire Department. Throughout his time in the fire department, he held the offices of chief, president of their benevolent association, treasurer, and was the department’s chaplain.

He also served as the vestry senior warden at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and the Southampton Pistol and Rifle Club’s vice president. He was also known as an avid Yankees fan. No matter how you were connected to him, his family said, everyone knew the joy that he brought to the room. He blessed this world with the cherished memories he has left behind in the heart of everyone he met, his family said.

On May 2, 2015, he married the love of his life, Aimee, bringing together their children and creating their amazing family. When first diagnosed, he remained ever grateful for the gifts life had given him, his family said. He shared that he and his wife had found true love, had a beautiful extended family, grandchildren, friends, and faith that gave them the strength and hope to take each and every day one step at a time. Even though they were dealt an unfair hand, they believed that despite the diagnosis, they were still so lucky because of the unwavering love and friendship they shared.

He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Rita Brown; as well as a young sibling Linda Susan Brown. He is survived by his wife, Aimee Fredette Brown; children, Jessie (Dan) Calabria, Sarah Brown, Jaime (Raymond) Normoyle, Mathew (Taylor) Phillips, Caitlin Phillips, Morgan Phillips, and Alexis Phillips; his siblings, Jane (Anthony) Carminati, Carol Brown, Kathy Young and Robert Brown; mother-in-law, Theresa Fredette; grandchildren, Elijah Calabria, Raymond Normoyle V, and Baby Boy Calabria due in March 2023; many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Hampton Bays Fire Department Sub Station 1 located on Ponquogue Avenue in Hampton Bays on October 4, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., with firematic services on at 7:30 p.m. A mass will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, on Ponquogue Avenue, in Hampton Bays, on October 5, at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Good Ground Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to East End Hospice, the Hampton Bays Volunteer and Exempt Firemen’s Association, or the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation in his memory would be appreciated by the family.