Thetford Center, VT - Elmer C. Brown, 92, died at home with his family on Friday May 3, 2019.
He was born April 9, 1927 in North Troy, VT a son of Leo and Mildred (Currier) Brown. Elmer grew up in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, graduating from Lyndon Institute in 1945. He then served in the Marine Corps during World War II. After his honorable discharge, Elmer attended New England College in Henniker, NH, earning a degree in Botany in 1950. Following his graduation he began his nearly 70 year career in the landscape nursery business, first at the Henry Field Seed and Nursery in Shenandoah, Iowa and later at Johnsons Nursery in Fairfield, CT. Elmer was married to Marjorie Parker of Norwich, VT in 1953 and they started a family by adopting twin boys in 1961. After Marjorie's death in 1962, Elmer married Bertha Cook of Norwich, VT in 1964. They made their home in Fairfield, CT until moving to Thetford Center in 1967. Upon arriving in Thetford, they established E.C. Browns' Nursery which he continued to be active in until very recently. Elmer was able to share his life-long passion for horticulture with Upper Valley residents through the nursery and his designs and plants grace countless locations as a result. He was particularly touched by the outpouring of well wishes from the community he so loved during his recent 92nd birthday when he received hundreds of birthday greetings.
Elmer loved to sing, particularly barbershop harmony. He was a founding member of the North Country Chordsmen chapter of SPEBSQSA in the Upper Valley, sang in numerous quartets, and sang in the church choir. He was a member of the Thetford Volunteer Fire Department serving as Captain and Assistant Chief. Elmer was also instrumental in organizing Thetford's FAST Squad and served as an EMT for many years. He served as Trustee of the Timothy Frost Church and Thetford Academy and was also a member and past president of the Vermont Plantsman Association. Elmer was an avid skier, skiing into his 80s and was active in the Ford-Sayre Ski Program including serving on it's council as well as delivering ski equipment for the Thetford School students for over 35 years to Dartmouth Skiway.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bertha of Thetford Center; sons Kevin Brown and wife Robin of North Thetford, VT and Kirk Brown and wife Karen of Ellicott City, MD; grandchildren Connor, Lily, Rachael, Patrick and Adam as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by two brothers Carlton and Edwin and a sister Frances Merchant.
A memorial service will be held at the United Church of Thetford in North Thetford on Sunday May 19, 2019 at 2PM with a reception to follow. Burial will be held at a later date in the Evergreen Rest Cemetery in Thetford Center.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to North Country Chordsmen PO Box 474 Hanover NH, 03755 or Bayada Hospice PO Box 1590 Norwich, VT, 05055.
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