William (Buster) Archibald Brown, Jr. 86

William Buster Brown, aged 86 years of Rainycrest Home for the aged, 550 Osborne Street, Fort Frances, Ontario, formerly of Stratton, passed away peacefully with his family at his side at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances on Tuesday, May 9, 2006.
William was born on May 14, 1919 in Morley Township (Stratton) to the late William Archibald and Grace Eva (Ethel) Brown, Sr. During World War Two he served in the Canadian Army for four years in Canada until his discharge in 1945. That same year on December 19 he married his Ukrainian sweetheart Lena and spent 50 devoted years at her side. Together with hard work and commitment they would raise five dearly loved children and carve out a living on the land.
William was a true farmer in heart and in deed. He was self-taught and independent at handling all the demands of farming and became very successful in his chosen profession. In the winters he cut pulpwood. Often he was hired by the municipality to oversee road construction, ditching, bridge building and other related projects. Countless hours were spent at the Stratton Stockyards, repairing and roofing neighbourhood barns and homes, and making the threshing rounds at harvest times. He served willingly on school boards and was always quick to lend a hand when family, friends and neighbours were in need.
Resting, playing and laughing fit easily into the balance of William’s life. Family and social gatherings brought the greatest joy to him and those in his midst. He delighted in the simple pastimes of fishing and hunting, playing horseshoes and baseball, carving (slingshots, whistles and ring toss boards) and carpentry, berry picking and playing cards. Attending holiday and family activities, local fairs and celebrations were highlights. No matter the season he could readily find ways to produce fun for his family. The eating of well-prepared food was always a much-appreciated EVENT never to be hurried or lightly undertaken. He perfected the art of a 20-minute Power Nap after which he would arise energized for the tasks ahead.
Music meant the world to William and his violin and accordion got plenty of use. His expertise on the dance floor is legendary (both Lena and Louise shared his enthusiasm for this activity) and even up to two weeks before his passing he was entertaining staff, residents and visitors to Rainycrest with his light-footed capers.
When Lena died in January of 1996, William was devastated. Once again he gained the pleasure of a companion when he married Louse Elstad in November of 1998 and moved to her Pinewood home. Later they would move to William’s Pattullo farm north of Stratton. They became members of Our Lady of the Way Roman Catholic Church in Pinewood, enjoyed Market gardening and travelled often to visit Louise’s family in the USA.
William will be deeply missed by his wife Louise of Clarkesville, Georgia, his children Larry (Lauren), Barry (Carolle), Wayne (Jo-Ann) Brown, Sandra (Gordon) Martin all of Atikokan, and Linda (David) Hammond of Thunder Bay and his much adored brother William (Billy) Brown and wife Bertha of Barwick. He was a devoted Grandpa to Nicholas, Nathan, Andrew and Tracy, Murray and Cherice, Sherree, Terri, Robert, Christopher and Jeremy, Krysta and Deborah, Tyler and Rae-Jeanne. He was proud to become a Great grandpa to Michelle, Judah and Levi, Tatum and Atticus, Megan and Jenna, Cadence, and Paige. Numerous nephews and nieces and Louise’s children and families in the USA will mourn his cheery company.
A much- cherished sister Noreen Korpi (Howells) predeceased him in 2003.
A Memorial service was held on Saturday May 13, 2006 at 11 A.M. at the Millennium Hall in Stratton, Ontario with the Reverend Barbara Miller officiating. Honorary pallbearers were all his family and friends.
Donations in William’s memory may be made either to the Alzheimer’s Society of the Kenora/Rainy River Districts, Box 837, Kenora, Ontario P9N 4B5 or Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances Ont. P9A 3M8 or in care of Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3M8.
William’s family wish to express their heartfelt thanks to all who share in their sorrow and who have expressed in so many ways their love and support down through the years of William’s full, rich life. It is indeed a blessing to belong to such a caring community.