Tribute: Rebecca 'Becky' Brown

1927 - 2024

NORTHEAST HARBOR, Dec. 28, 2024 - Batteries, fishing flies, needle nose pliers, wheel barrel, nails of various sizes, spark plugs, rope, gas cans, duct tape, acetone, spray paint, and even a fleece coat.

Those were some of the stuff I bought at FT Brown Hardware since the mid Eighties when Becky and Buddy Brown were the proprietors.

A reliable voice - “May I help you?” - often saved me from searching through aisles of a big box store in Ellsworth and its confusing array of choices.

Which gave me time to mosey up to McGrath’s to buy the Islander and a second cup of coffee.

These memories are familiar to generations of Islanders for a simpler, more innocent time. It was a time when much of the village stayed open all year.

But the hardy Browns have stayed true. The gas station, McGrath’s, Kimball store have also remained stalwarts, along with the library.

According to its website:

“FT Brown is a fifth-generation run general store started by Sylvester Brown (SB) originally down on Cole Wharf. Over the years, F.T. Brown has evolved, and today is now a general store as it originally was over 100 years ago. We completed a renovation over the winter to now include a wider variety of products to meet the needs of our community while upholding the importance of sustainable and quality products. We brought back our old counters, signs, and displays, as well as photographs that capture in time Northeast Harbor and the Brown family over the last century. Located in downtown Northeast Harbor, we have been open year-round for over 100 years. Stop in and meet the Brown Family and support local business in Mount Desert Island.”

(Salsbury Farms in Town Hill also recently made the transition to add merchandise, including food. Other Island hardware stores - Paradis in Bar Harbor, McEachern & Hutchins in Southwest Harbor - are family owned and run.)

Buddy and Beck Brown

Rebecca “Becky” Taylor Brown, 97, died December 13, 2024, surrounded by her dear family and with all the treasured memories at her home in Northeast Harbor.

Her obituary read:

“Becky was born April 21, 1927, in Brewer, Maine, the daughter of Carlton Taylor and Olive Tourtelotte. She was the big sister to Carlton Jr. “Jerry”, Malcolm and Marshall Taylor. Becky spoke often of her childhood summers on her grandparents’ farm in Ellsworth, Maine. She held cherished memories of her Grandmother Josephine, Grandfather Irving, and Aunt Laura Wilbur.

”Becky is survived by her sons: Frederick T. “Rick” Brown of Arlington, VA., Robert M. “Bob” Brown and his children, Ryan, Blair, Parker and Fischer and Thomas T. “Tom” Brown and his wife Kelly and their children, Molly, Ava, Shepperd, Penelope and Lachlan, as well as six great-grandchildren.

”Becky was full of wit and wisdom. Her advice was invaluable and will be greatly missed. She always made time to listen, provide support, or add humor to any situation. She worked side by side with her husband, Buddy, for over 70 years at their family store, FT Brown Co., in Northeast Harbor. When she wasn't working at the store, you could find her in the kitchen baking or cooking up something special, knitting a hat or a pair of socks, sewing a baby quilt, reading a good book, working on a 1000-piece puzzle, or enjoying “teatime” with Bud. From a young age, Becky learned how to care for and tend to whatever life threw her, she was a force to be reckoned with! She selflessly gave of herself to support her family and husband. Her family held her deeply as the constant and unconditional backbone of the family and store. Her many gifts of talents, stories, lessons, and moments will always shine brightly and be cherished by all that loved and knew her.”

Buddy Brown died in 2021 at the age of 95.

According to his obituary:

“He was the Town Clerk of the Town of Mount Desert for 25 years. He was the President of the Mount Desert Chamber of Commerce, the Northeast Harbor Water Company, The Neighborhood House, a member of the American Legion Lurvey Wight Post #103, The Lions Club and a member of the Board of Directors of the Bar Harbor Bank and Trust serving on the Executive Committee and as a member on several other organizations.”

Those who desire may make contributions in Rebecca's memory to the Mt. Desert Nursing Association, PO Box 397, Northeast Harbor, 04662.

Graveside services will be held in the spring at Forest Hill Cemetery, Northeast Harbor.

Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com