Kenneth Allen Brown, 80, died peacefully surrounded by his loving and devoted family on March 1, 2014 in Boothbay Harbor.

Ken was born on June 25, 1933 in Boothbay Harbor, the son of the late Edmund and Viola Lunt Brown. Raised in Boothbay Harbor, Ken attended local schools and was a graduate of Boothbay Harbor High School class of 1951.

After finishing high school, he went to work at the family business, selling lobsters and seafood, something he had done since he was 10 years old.

In 1955, after starting his family, he was drafted into the United States Army and spent two years bravely serving our country in Germany. Working closely with the German nationals he was fluent in the language.

In 1957 he returned home to his wife and children and the family business. He oversaw the business as it went from a restaurant and wholesale seafood distributor to the addition of the hotel in 1967, when 24 units were constructed. In 1975, Ken again oversaw a growth in the company when another addition to the hotel was added, giving the property over 70 units. Among the other projects was the addition of the marina portion in the 1970s as well.

To say he had a strong work ethic would be an understatement. He worked seven days a week alongside his wife Joan. The couple might take a week off at the end of the season, but they continued to work year-round. Ken was instrumental in all of the improvements at Brown’s Wharf, but was humble and never wanted to be in the spotlight for any of it. He had a good team around him and deflected praise to them.

Ken loved to travel, whether it was a short trip with Joan or a drive around town; it was a way for him to relax even if just for a second. But no matter how far or how long his trips may have been, there was nothing he loved more than coming home to the harbor. The restaurant would have live Irish music every week and Ken loved to listen to it and had every song ingrained into his head, passing the songs along to his grandchildren, well, at least the appropriate songs.

He was a member of the Isaac Marshall Giles VFW Post 3475.

In 2011 he was awarded the lifetime achievement award from the Maine Restaurant Association. He was proud of the award, but acknowledged that it was not just him who made it possible for him to receive it, but rather the family and staff he had working for him. A humble man through and through, he never wanted to take credit for anything he may achieved through the years. He also served as a director of the First National Bank of Damariscotta for many years.

Ken had a great sense of humor and an infectious smile, and could make you smile no matter what you may have been going through. He was a great storyteller and was very charismatic. But, most of all, he was a family man. Ken loved his family and being able to spend time with them. He was always putting others first, especially when it came to his family. There was nothing that made him prouder than the accomplishments of his family.

A modest man with a dry sense of humor, he always had a joke to tell no matter the situation. He will be fondly remembered and forever missed by all that knew and loved him. 

He was predeceased by a son, Dennis Brown; a daughter, Connie Jones; five brothers and one sister.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Joan Brown of Boothbay Harbor; children, Larry Brown and his wife Rosemarie of Boothbay Harbor, Michelle Wilson and her husband Kevin of Boothbay Harbor, and Tim Brown and his wife Elizabeth Giles-Brown of Boothbay Harbor; brother, Dwight Brown of North Carolina; nine grandchildren, Lex Jones, Valerie Jones, Ashley Holloway, Cody Brown, Kelsey Brown, Annie Brown, Christopher Brown, Marissa Wilson and Chase Brown; three great-grandchildren, Lilly Brown, Calvin Holloway and Jackson Robichaud; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Ken’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boothbay Region Community Resources, P.O. Box 43, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538, or the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, 27 Atlantic Hwy, P.O. Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556, or to the charity of one’s choice.

You are invited to share your condolences, memories and photos with the family by visiting their Book of Memories page at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons Harrington and Hall, Boothbay.