Necrology

George William Brown '32

Sep. 5, 1910-May. 10, 2008

George William Brown '32, a retired public school principal and U.S. Navy commander, believed to be the last surviving graduate of the Class of 1932, was born on September 5, 1910, in Binghamton, NY. His parents were John W., a sales representative, and Abigail Galvin Brown. George Brown grew up in Binghamton and enrolled at Hamilton in 1928 from Binghamton Central High School. He joined Alpha Delta Phi, trouped with the Charlatans, contributed to the Royal Gaboon, and became manager of both the varsity soccer and tennis teams. A member of the Newman Club and credited by The Hamiltonian with "being able to talk on any subject at any time and get away with it," he was graduated in 1932.

Soon thereafter, George Brown met Mildred Irene Smith, and they were married in Mamaroneck, NY, in 1934. The couple settled down in that town near New York City, and George, who had just begun his career in education as a grade school teacher in his hometown of Binghamton, found new employment in the Mamaroneck public schools. He obtained an M.A. degree in education from New York University in 1936 and was a science teacher and dean of boys at Mamaroneck Junior High School in 1942 when he went on active duty with the Navy. Commissioned as an officer, he served with the 7th Fleet in the Pacific theater during World War II. He was released from active duty as a lieutenant commander in 1946, but remained in the U.S. Naval Reserve until 1970, when he retired with the rank of commander, after serving as commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Officers School in Stamford, CT.

After his wartime service, George Brown returned to Mamaroneck, where he was appointed principal of the junior high school. He was principal of Hommocks School in Larchmont at the time of his retirement in 1972. He continued to reside in Mamaroneck , where he was a past president of the Lions Club and a director of the Sound Federal Savings and Loan Association.

Commander Brown, who enjoyed riding and even owned a couple of saddle horses before the war, focused his later attention on dogs and their obedience training. He became president and head trainer for a local dog club as well as, for 30 years, a licensed obedience judge for the American Kennel Club. The Browns, who had been spending their winters in Florida, took up permanent residence there in later years. There, George Brown continued to enjoy riding as well as a little gardening.

George W. Brown, a loyal and generously supportive alumnus, was residing in Palm City, FL, when he died on May 10, 2008, in his 98th year. Predeceased by his wife in 1997 and without children, he leaves no immediate survivors.

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