David F. Brown, beloved family member, community leader, devoted public servant, and cherished friend to many, died Sept. 20.
Born in Mount Kisco on Aug. 25, 1936, he was the youngest of six children of Leonard K. Brown and Evelyn Butler Brown. He was raised and lived his entire life in Bedford, and spent much of his life involved in town and community activities.
He chaired the Bedford Hills Memorial Day Committee, acting as master of ceremonies for over 20 years. He was a director on the Bedford Hills Community House Board for 10 years, and was a charter member of the Bedford Hills Historical Museum. He served on the Town of Bedford Democratic Committee for 28 years and was chairman from 1971–1973. He retired as a senior building inspector for the town in 1996 after 23 years of service.
One of his passions was the Bedford Hills Volunteer Fire Department. Serving for 61 years, he was its first African American member, joining March 12, 1963, and assigned to the Engine Company. He held positions of engineer, secretary, vice president, president, board of directors, and was elected as commissioner of the fire district for 19 years. As chairman of the fundraising committee to restore antique apparatus, he was fundamental in the restoration of Engine 196, a 1928 Dodge Brothers pumper. Brown was elected chairman of the board of fire commissioners in 2015, and was appointed to the Westchester County Executive Fire Task Force by Andrew Spano.
“His passing has left an immense void in our department, and community,” BHFD Chief of Department Alexander Dennett Sr. posted online.
Brown’s family described him as having a generous, caring and humorous spirit, and said he will be remembered for his charismatic personality, infectious smile, sense of humor, humanitarian outreach, and as “a serious, hard-working individual who loved a challenge.” “As we mourn the loss of David Brown, we also celebrate the incredible life he lived and the legacy he leaves in Bedford, carrying on the Brown family’s generations of contributions in town,” Town Supervisor Ellen Calves said.
“Both in his professional life, including serving as the town’s building inspector, and through his lifelong commitment to volunteering in Bedford — with his many leadership roles, from the Lions to the Historical Museum to the Bedford Hills Fire Department, just to name a few — David has immeasurably enriched the community,” Calves said. “With a twinkle in his eye, David gave of himself generously and inspired a sense of community that touched every person he met. Bedford is a better place because of him and his contributions will live on in our hearts, our stories and the very fabric of our community.”
“Dave was highly regarded and was a good friend,” said Ellen Cohen, president of the Bedford Hills Historical Museum. “He was vice president of the museum and involved even up to a few weeks ago. He will surely be missed.”
A lifelong member of the Antioch Baptist Church in Bedford Hills, Brown served at one time as secretary and then chairman of the trustee board. While under the Pastorate of the Rev. Rufus A. Strother Jr., he served as assistant to the pastor for public relations; as a member of the Chancel Choir and the Male Chorus; was GFS Investment Club president; and was a delegate for A-HOME.
“He was a trailblazer within this community,” the Rev. Merle McJunkin of Antioch Baptist said. “He led a life of service. As he blazed new trails, he opened doors and made opportunities for others.”
Bedford town historian, John Stockbridge, said David was known by “many, many Bedford residents as a fixture in the community,” and noted David and his family for years provided the music for Antioch.
Recalling an oral history he conducted with Brown in 2003, Stockbridge said when asked what his motivation was for being involved with so many community organizations, he replied, “It was God’s grace. I couldn’t have done anything without Him. He has guided me and directed me.”
McJunkin noted that the founding pastor of Antioch, the Rev. F. C. “Nay” McGee, was David’s great uncle.
A longtime member of the NAACP of Northern Westchester, Brown served as political action chairman. He was appointed by Gov. Nelson Rockefeller in 1969 to the New York State Division of Taxation and Finance in the Lottery Division. He served on the President’s Council of Northern Westchester Hospital for 20 years. As a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, David organized and ran bike-a-thons in Bedford for five years. He was a Westchester County Court monitor and served on the Advisory Committee of the Taconic Correctional Facility.
Brown was elected president of the New York State Building Officials Educational Conference, a statewide organization of over 1,500 zoning, building officials, and code enforcement officers. A charter member and former director of the Mid-Hudson Valley Code Enforcement Educational Conference, he was elected president in 2004 and 2005 of the Eastern States Building Officials Federation.
Another passion of his was the Bedford Hills Lions Club, where he was a member for 60 years and served as president, zone chairman, was Lion of the Year in 1973, and served as district governor of the zone covering the surrounding counties.
Brown was also an entrepreneur. He built or acquired several properties in the Bedford area including Brown’s Limousine Company of Bedford Hills; Brown’s Driver Training School of Bedford Hills; and he owned and operated a small trucking business which did hauling, snowplowing, and express delivery.
After graduating from Bedford Hills High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball, Brown attended Morrisville College in Morrisville, N.Y., and served in the Army from 1959 to 1960. He was recalled to active duty and honorably discharged in 1961.
In addition to his parents, Brown was predeceased by siblings, Evelyne J. L. Hasgill (Paul), Dolores V. Brown, Lawrence K. Brown (Virginia), Gerard R. Brown (Barbara), and nephew, Gerard Brown Jr. He is survived by his brother, Earl B. Brown; seven nieces, a nephew, and many friends.
Bedford Hills Fire Department will conduct a Final Alarm with Engine 196, beginning at 9
a.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, at Antioch Baptist Church, located at 1 Strother Crossing, Bedford Hills, passing by his residence on Dwight Lane, with the final alarm sounding in front of BHFD, and ending at the church.
A wake will be held at Antioch Baptist Church on Friday, Sept. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 to 11 a.m.; the funeral service will begin at 11 a.m., with interment at Kensico Cemetery, located at 273 Lakeview Avenue, Valhalla, immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Antioch Baptist Church, at theantiochchurch.net.