Sunday's Obituary - A Genealogical Angel Sent Me This

Hazleton Standard Speaker - 20SEP1986, pg2

About 6 weeks ago I received an email out of the blue from a cousin across the pond.  She had come across my blog and sent me several pieces of information and this obituary for my cousin Rev. Msgr John Brown was one of them.

Finding his obituary was on my To-Do this for the next time I was home and this cousin kept me from a year-long wait and I will forever be grateful.

I'm told that her mother and aunt knew John Brown well and that he visited Ireland frequently.  Not only did she give me this obituary, but she gave me a location for the Browns in my tree.  County Donegal I had long suspected, which she confirmed and gave me the city/town of Knockletragh!

My cousin and I are still trying to figure out our common ancestor.  Sadly, this happens all too frequently...her mom and John knew how they were related, but neither of them are around to ask about the connection anymore.  Nevertheless, a cousin she will be to me and perhaps someday, we'll figure it out together and bridge that great blue ocean!

"Rev. Msgr. John Brown dies in North Carolina

Rev. Msgr. John A. Brown, who resided at and was chaplain of St. Joseph-of-the-Pines, N.C., died Thursday morning at the hospital.

Born in Hazleton, he was the son of the late Charles and Anna (La Grande) Brown.

A 1928 graduate of St. Gabriel's High School, Hazleton, he studied at Mount St. Mary's College and Seminary, Emmittsburg, Md.

He was ordained into the priesthood on May 22, 1937 at St. Peter's Cathedral, Scranton, and was assigned to serve in the Diocese of Raleigh, N.C.

His first assignment was as assistant rector at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Raleigh, N.C.  He was then appointed pastor at Sacred Heart Church, Pinehurst, N.C., and also served as vice chancellor and secretary to the late Bishop William Hafey.

In 1959, he was appointed first pastor of St. Eugene's Parish, Ashville, N.C.  While at St. Eugene's, he was elevated to Domestic Prelate with the title of Right Reverend Monsignor by Pope Paul VI.  He remained at St. Eugene's Parish until 1969 and then returned to the Pinehurst area, where he became chaplain at St. Joseph's hospital.  Again he was named pastor of Sacred Heart, Pinehurst, and remained there until beginning a leave of absence in September 1976.

He was Dean of the Ashville Deanery and later of the Pinehurst Deanery and had served as a Diocesan consulter (sic).

Following his retirement in 1978, Brown resided at St. Joseph hospital, where he continued to be chaplain until his death.

Preceding him in death were four sisters, Mrs. Marian Gallagher, Mrs. Genevieve Hooper, Mrs. Helen Cassidy, Anna Brown, and one brother, Charles Brown.

Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. William (Gertrude) McLaughlin, Utica, N.Y.; Mrs. Perry (Ester) Engle, Elizabeth, N.J.; one brother, Leo Brown, Cumberland, Md., and 11 nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. from the Joseph B. Conahan Funeral Home, Hazleton, with a con-celebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Gabriel's Church.  Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

A viewing will be held Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

A prayer service and rosary will be recited."

You can read more posts about John Brown, by clicking the following links:

   -Tombstone Tuesday - Who is the Rt. Rev. John Brown?

  -Sunday's Obituary - Thomas Joseph Brown Sr (John Brown is listed as a survivor to my great grandfather)

  -Amanuensis Monday - A Well-Known Hazleton Baseball Player (John Brown listed as a deacon at Neil Brown's funeral)

  -Amanuensis Monday - A Great Reason to Transcribe...