May 20 1941 - January 1 2026

On Thursday, January 1, 2026, the world lost a truly special man. Donald Brown, aged 84, passed peacefully into the merciful embrace of God, surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Mary, and his three children: Pat McAuliffe, David Brown, and Sara (Mike) Pribanich. He was predeceased by his parents, Wayland and Kathleen Brown, and his brother, John.

Don was born in Watertown, New York, to Wayland and Kathleen Brown. He was the middle child of three, with an older brother, John (Sharon) Brown, and a younger sister, Sally (Larry) Fay. He spent his childhood on his family’s farm in Sackets Harbor, where he graduated from Sackets Harbor Central School in 1961. He later graduated from Central City Business Institute in Syracuse, New York, in 1963. He met and married the love of his life, Mary, and they shared 50 years together while raising three children in Webster, New York. He enjoyed reminiscing and sharing stories from his younger years with family and friends.

Don enjoyed a successful career at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York, where he worked in Research and Development for over 30 years before retiring. He had a keen eye for antiques and never missed an opportunity to browse garage sales. He especially enjoyed spending winters at his Florida home in Bartow, where he created countless treasured memories with his loved ones. His warm smile and wonderful sense of humor could light up any room. His kindness left a mark on everyone who knew him. 

Faith was a cornerstone of Don’s life. He was deeply involved at St. Rita Church, serving faithfully as a Eucharistic minister. He was a man of faith, virtue, and integrity, and often shared his favorite saying: “A family that prays together, stays together.” Above all else, Don always put his family first.

Don leaves behind many cherished family members, including six grandchildren, with whom he shared a very special bond. He was deeply involved in their lives and made every effort to attend their events—something that meant the world to him.

Visitation and Funeral Mass will be held in May 2026 at St. Rita Church in Webster. We hope many will come to celebrate his life, share stories, and enjoy a donut. Details will be shared closer to May.