In Memory of
David Michael
Browne
Browne
1939 - 2015
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Obituary for David Michael Browne
Early last Thursday morning, the 27th of August, one of Brevard’s more recognizable residents left to join his parents, David and Mary Ellen Browne, his Uncle Bob and his brother Kirk for coffee at one of Heaven’s more popular cafes.
David Michael Browne, most commonly referred to as ‘Mr. Browne’, was known for his great love of history and books. A conversation with him would be laced with interesting anecdotes of history gleaned from his extensive library, along with a bit of gentle teasing and puns meant to bring a smile to all. He was easily recognized as the white haired and mustached gentleman commonly sporting either a vest and Irish tweed jacket, or in warmer weather, a safari jacket. He was most often found outside of Quotations Coffee Shop enjoying the newspaper or driving through town in his much loved ‘Livingston’, the Land Rover he purchased new in 1969.
His home on Maple St. was just as easily recognized, by the sign on the front porch, ’Hotel Zanzibar’. It had hung on his former home in Seattle for 20+ years when in 2002, Mr. Browne, his children, Annalisa and John and his “once-upon-a-time-wife”, Tennessee moved to Brevard. He had just retired after 35 years as a surveyor and public works inspector for The City of Seattle Engineering Department. Although he had never been to NC. Before his arrival, he immediately fell in love with both Brevard and its welcoming residents, soon proudly declaring it “the best town in America to live in” to all he knew and met.
Like a book found in his library, David’s life was just as interesting and adventurous. His adventure began shortly after his birth on August 15, 1939 in Spokane, WA. When his Father, David Edwin, whisked he and his Mother off to the remote mining camp/town of Flat, Alaska. It was there that his Grandfather, David E. had struck gold in the ‘Great Gold Rush of 1898’. As a child growing up in primitive conditions, his mentors were the men who had braved the harsh Alaskan wilderness to make their fortunes. He soon became as one of them, in both manner and beliefs. A man a little out-of-step, perhaps a bit eccentric, more 19th Century than 20th Century.
At 18, he joined the Army and set off as they had, to view to world. He was sent to Germany, and like a sponge, he quickly absorbed the language and culture. He soon met and married his first wife Helga. Two years later the Army returned him home to America with his new wife. Not ready to abandon the culture he had grown to admire, he joined the Air Force and happily the family of now three, with the birth of son, David Henry, they soon returned to Manheim, Germany. Four years later, his enlistment over, they resettled in Seattle, where Mr. Browne attended the University of Washington, and Helga became a nurse at Virginia Mason Hospital. Upon her death in 1981, Mr. Browne opened their large Victorian home as a boarding house to many young students attending the UW, whereupon he hung the sign “Hotel Zanzibar” on the front porch.
Traveling south to Arizona to visit his brother Alec, he met his future wife Tennessee. After much work convincing her that Seattle would be a far better place for she & her young daughter, Rachael to live than the ‘dreadful desert’ of Phoenix, she accepted his proposal. True to form, Mr. Browne suggested an ancient Celtic wedding ceremony for their marriage at the “Zanzibar”. Three years later, at the same time & date as their marriage their daughter Annalisa Mai was born, to be followed four years later by Brendan John. The ‘no Vacancy’ sign was added to the bottom of the porch sign & once again the “Zanzibar” was a family home.
Throughout his life the mentoring of young people was always foremost in his heart. He was always available to any that would seek him out, both to listen and answer their many questions while bestowing on them the same values, faith and guidance he had received as a boy in Alaska.
Mr. Browne is survived by his children, David H. Browne of Alaska, Annalisa Mai Wycoff of Hickory, NC, B. John Browne of Brevard and his step-daughter, Rachael L. Hedrick of Gilbert, AZ . His grandson Quentin Michael Browne of Brevard, step-granddaughters, Cortney A. Ross of VA and Lauren Hedrick of AZ. His brothers, Alec T. of Brevard, Tony, Cornelius, Jeffrey of the north-west and Steve of PA, sisters Laurie Jacobson of AZ, Julie Bhat of OR and Christine Browne of Raleigh, NC And his Once-upon-a-time-wife and best friend, Tennessee Browne of Brevard, & ‘Livingston’.
Mr. Browne’s family welcomes all to a Memorial Service at 2:00 pm this Saturday at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home, 181 S. Caldwell St. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Brevard Library and the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home is caring for the family.
David Michael Browne, most commonly referred to as ‘Mr. Browne’, was known for his great love of history and books. A conversation with him would be laced with interesting anecdotes of history gleaned from his extensive library, along with a bit of gentle teasing and puns meant to bring a smile to all. He was easily recognized as the white haired and mustached gentleman commonly sporting either a vest and Irish tweed jacket, or in warmer weather, a safari jacket. He was most often found outside of Quotations Coffee Shop enjoying the newspaper or driving through town in his much loved ‘Livingston’, the Land Rover he purchased new in 1969.
His home on Maple St. was just as easily recognized, by the sign on the front porch, ’Hotel Zanzibar’. It had hung on his former home in Seattle for 20+ years when in 2002, Mr. Browne, his children, Annalisa and John and his “once-upon-a-time-wife”, Tennessee moved to Brevard. He had just retired after 35 years as a surveyor and public works inspector for The City of Seattle Engineering Department. Although he had never been to NC. Before his arrival, he immediately fell in love with both Brevard and its welcoming residents, soon proudly declaring it “the best town in America to live in” to all he knew and met.
Like a book found in his library, David’s life was just as interesting and adventurous. His adventure began shortly after his birth on August 15, 1939 in Spokane, WA. When his Father, David Edwin, whisked he and his Mother off to the remote mining camp/town of Flat, Alaska. It was there that his Grandfather, David E. had struck gold in the ‘Great Gold Rush of 1898’. As a child growing up in primitive conditions, his mentors were the men who had braved the harsh Alaskan wilderness to make their fortunes. He soon became as one of them, in both manner and beliefs. A man a little out-of-step, perhaps a bit eccentric, more 19th Century than 20th Century.
At 18, he joined the Army and set off as they had, to view to world. He was sent to Germany, and like a sponge, he quickly absorbed the language and culture. He soon met and married his first wife Helga. Two years later the Army returned him home to America with his new wife. Not ready to abandon the culture he had grown to admire, he joined the Air Force and happily the family of now three, with the birth of son, David Henry, they soon returned to Manheim, Germany. Four years later, his enlistment over, they resettled in Seattle, where Mr. Browne attended the University of Washington, and Helga became a nurse at Virginia Mason Hospital. Upon her death in 1981, Mr. Browne opened their large Victorian home as a boarding house to many young students attending the UW, whereupon he hung the sign “Hotel Zanzibar” on the front porch.
Traveling south to Arizona to visit his brother Alec, he met his future wife Tennessee. After much work convincing her that Seattle would be a far better place for she & her young daughter, Rachael to live than the ‘dreadful desert’ of Phoenix, she accepted his proposal. True to form, Mr. Browne suggested an ancient Celtic wedding ceremony for their marriage at the “Zanzibar”. Three years later, at the same time & date as their marriage their daughter Annalisa Mai was born, to be followed four years later by Brendan John. The ‘no Vacancy’ sign was added to the bottom of the porch sign & once again the “Zanzibar” was a family home.
Throughout his life the mentoring of young people was always foremost in his heart. He was always available to any that would seek him out, both to listen and answer their many questions while bestowing on them the same values, faith and guidance he had received as a boy in Alaska.
Mr. Browne is survived by his children, David H. Browne of Alaska, Annalisa Mai Wycoff of Hickory, NC, B. John Browne of Brevard and his step-daughter, Rachael L. Hedrick of Gilbert, AZ . His grandson Quentin Michael Browne of Brevard, step-granddaughters, Cortney A. Ross of VA and Lauren Hedrick of AZ. His brothers, Alec T. of Brevard, Tony, Cornelius, Jeffrey of the north-west and Steve of PA, sisters Laurie Jacobson of AZ, Julie Bhat of OR and Christine Browne of Raleigh, NC And his Once-upon-a-time-wife and best friend, Tennessee Browne of Brevard, & ‘Livingston’.
Mr. Browne’s family welcomes all to a Memorial Service at 2:00 pm this Saturday at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home, 181 S. Caldwell St. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Brevard Library and the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home is caring for the family.
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