Donald Coolidge Brown

WILLIAMSTOWN – Donald C. Brown, 85, of Williamstown, Vermont passed away peacefully with his family at his side Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Berlin Health and Rehab in Berlin.
Donald Coolidge Brown was born in Bristol, New Hampshire, November 15, 1929; the son of Earle Walter and Eleanor (Coolidge) Brown. He attended grade school in Bristol and Plymouth, New Hampshire and graduated from High School in Charlestown, New Hampshire in 1948. In September 1948 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, training at Lack land AF Base, in San Antonio, Texas; and Chanute Field, Illinois. He served as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic in Guam in the South Pacific from 1949 thru 1951, during the Korean conflict. He was Honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant in August of 1952 and became a member of the American Legion Post #10 in Barre.
He attended New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire from 1954 to 1957, graduating “Cum Laude” with a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering. He was employed by the State of Vermont Highway Department (Transportation Agency) continuously from September 1957 thru February 1991, serving in various engineering capacities in Survey, Planning, and Construction and served as Ass’t District Engineer and Materials Engineer, retiring on February 28, 1991.
On June 30, 1956, he married Jennie Elaine Perkins of Newport, New Hampshire. They had resided in Concord, N.H. (1956-1957), Montpelier, (1957-1960), Northfield, (1960-1965), and in Williamstown, since 1965. Besides his wife, he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Daniel C. and Ann (Giroux) Brown of Graniteville and daughter, and son-in-law Alyson (Brown) Codling and her husband, Jack of South Barre; grandsons and their wives Seth and Whitney Brown and Curtis Brown and Kirsten Lawyer and granddaughter Jessika and her husband, Scott McDonald, as well as great-grandchildren Sophie and Hudson Brown and Mason and Emmett McDonald.
Also surviving are his two sisters; Mrs. Hilda Walton of Presque Isle, Maine, and Mrs. Greta Brandt of Dunbarton, N.H., and many nieces and nephews.
Predeceased are his mother and father, Earle W. and Eleanor C. (Brown) Cotton, Step Father Senator Norris Cotton; Sister Maxine Labine & Grandson David C. LaFleche.
Don has been active in Civic affairs in the town of Williamstown, having served as lister for nine years (1967-1976) Planning Commission (1973-1982), and as Selectman for 6 years, (1982-1988), four years as Chairman. He was a coach and manager of a Little League team and Area Manager of Babe Ruth Baseball, as well as being very active in the United Federated Church of Williamstown, having served as a member of the Executive Committee, and various other Committees and has sung in the choir for 50 years. He also sang with the Barre Choraleers, the Barbershopers and the Brookfield Community Singers.
Don has been a member of the Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts Car Club since 1958 and served as Activities Chairman, President, and Chief Judge at the Stowe Antique Car Show. He was President of the Vermont Division of the Antique Auto Club of America.
Masonic Record
Symbolic: Don was raised a Master Mason in Aurora Lodge #22 at Montpelier, on February 23, 1960. He transferred his membership to Summit Lodge #104 in Williamstown in 1983 and served as Master from 1989 thru 1991. He has served as Treasurer and “Clerk of the Works” in the construction of new Lodge Buildings. He is a Past President of the Sixth Masonic District, Past Masters Association. He was appointed the district Deputy Grand Master of the Sixth Masonic District during 1996-1997 and has also served as Deputy Grand Secretary and Grand Librarian for the Grand Lodge of Vermont.
Capitular: Don was Exalted a Royal Arch Mason at the York Rite Festival in Barre on March 26, 1960 and served as High Priest of the King Solomon Chapter #7 in Montpelier, 1963-64 and again from 1992 to present. He has done the Masters part in the Most Excellent Master’s Degree since 1964 in most chapters and at Festivals and on special occasions over the State of Vermont and at Multi State Festivals.
He was appointed District Deputy Grand High Priest in 1973 and Grand Lecturer in 1979, passing thru the chairs. He was elected Grand High Priest in 1987 and Grand Secretary in 1992. He is the Grand Representative to the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia from the Grand Chapter of Vermont.
Cryptic: Don was greeted as a Select Master at the same York Rite Festival on March 26, 1960. He passed thru the chairs and served as Thrice Illustrious Master of Barre Council #22 during 1988-1989.
He was appointed District Deputy III. Grand Master in 1989 and Grand Lecturer of the Grand Council in 1990. He was elected and served as Most Illustrious Grand Master in 1994-1995. In 1995 he was elected Grand Recorder and served in that Capacity until 1999. Don is the Grand Representative of Eastern Canada near the Grand Council of Vermont.
Chivalric: Don was knighted in April, 1960 and was elected to serve as Eminent Commander of Mount Zion Commandery #9 in Montpelier during 1970-1971. He has served as Prelate of Mount Zion from 1971 to Date.
Other Masonic Affiliations
Don is a member of the Red Cross of Constantine, serving as Sovereign of St. Helena Conclave and is Past Grand Sovereign of the Grand Imperial Council of Vermont, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, 1993-1994.
He is a member of the Profile York Right College #100 of New Hampshire, and is a Charter Member of the Green Mountain York Right College of Vermont. He was elected Governor in 1992.
Don received the Order of the Purple Cross at the Grand Session of the Sovereign York Rite College of North American in Toronto, ONT., in 1994; He is presently the Grand Governor of Vermont and is a member of the Vermont council of Anointed High Priests and was President in 1988-1989. He is a member of the Vermont Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters and served as its President in 1988-1989.
Don was elected to membership in the Vermont Priory #45, Knights of the York Cross of Honor in 1989.
He was very active in the Scottish Rite. In the Valley of Montpelier he has served as Thrice Potent Master of Gamaliel Washburn Lodge of Perfection; Sovereign Prince of Mt. Calvary Council Princes of Jerusalem, and was in the chairs of Frank J. Martin Chapter of Rose Croix. He was recently appointed to chair in the Vermont Consistory. In 1999 he was presented the Meritorious Service Award.
Don is a member of the Mt. Sinai Temple No. 3 A.A.O.N.M.S., and served as Treasurer in 1993. He was a member of the Mt. Sinai Band and served as its Manager from 1991-1998.
Don is a member of the Charity Chapter #57 Order of the Eastern Star of Williamstown. He served as Worthy Patron from 1992 to 1997 and again from 2005-2013. He was also named Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Nevada by the Grand Chapter of Vermont and served in that capacity from 1997-1999. He started in the Grand Line as Grand Sentinel in 2011, serving in 2013-2014 as Worthy Grand Patron.
Don received the 33rd Degree from the Sovereign Grand Inspector General in September 2002, making him an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America. This is the Highest Honor a Freemason can receive.
Don and his wife Jennie were honored in 2010 as Williamstown’s Citizens of the year in recognition of their contributions to the Community of Williamstown.
Don loved working for HIS community. He loved working on his Antique Car. He enjoyed hunting and being in the out of doors.
The service to honor and celebrate his life will be held Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the Williamstown United Federated Church.
Entombment will be made in the Hooker and Whitcomb Receiving Vault to await burial in the West Hill Cemetery in Williamstown.
Friends may call at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre, on Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Williamstown United Federated Church, PO Box 438, Williamstown, VT 05679, or Summit Mason Lodge #104, PO Box 91, Williamstown, VT 05679.