Brown, John "Jay" T.

John “Jay” Thomas Brown, age 82, went home peacefully to be with the Lord on February 28,2023. He was born on April 17,1940, on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. He is survived by the love of his life of 60 years and college sweetheart, his wife, Sandee, as well as his son Ian, and his daughter Wendilea.

He also leaves behind his Japanese family: Tomoharu and Chiaki Nishino, their children, Shoh and Hiro. Also Risa Hara from Kyoto, and Natsuki Nishino from Tokyo.

In Canada, he leaves behind his nieces, Lynda MacLellan and Deborah Clark from Calgery, Alberta. He is also survived by his in-laws, Rita May Gates, Caro and Peter Peterson, and Tad and Anne Woolley, along with his nieces and nephews.

Jay was predeceased by his sister, Jennie MacPhail, and husband, Stan, as well as his brother, Ronald Gates, their mother, Alice Brown, and his foster parents, Mamie and Malcolm MacDonald.

Jay graduated from Baddeck Rural High School in 1958 as Valedictorian of his class. He received scholarships to enter college, and received his degrees in Bachelor of Arts and his Bachelor of Education from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Jay had a successful career teaching English and public speaking. He was also an adjunct professor at Central Connecticut State University, as well as several community colleges. Jay received his MA degree at Trinity College in Hartford, CT.

Jay had a great sense of humor, and had wonderful stories to tell. He was a debate judge for international debate competitions held each year in Montreal. He was always known as “Mr. Positive!” He taught a course for many years called “Adventures in Attitudes.” Jay was always thinking of others. He worked at the Mark Twain House and Museum for over 10 years as a Historical Interpreter. He also volunteered for Manchester Hospital, drove for FISH, participated in Foodshare programs, was a frequent volunteer for many Audubon activities. Everyone knew him as being energetic and enthusiastic.

Jay actively served in the life of First Church of Glastonbury as a deacon, an usher, on boards of the church, and with the Church School.

Jay had a love of the outdoors and loved jogging, canoeing, kayaking, climbing the white mountains, gardening, music, and enjoying summer weeks at their cottage on Leetes Island in Guilford, CT, as well as at Camp Mowglis. He traveled far and wide with his wife and family. These were just some of Jay’s passions for life. He will be deeply missed by all, and his life and spirit will live on eternally.

A celebration of Jay’s life will be held at First Church of Christ, 2183 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT, on March 18th at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Jay and Sandee Brown Cub Program Fund, Camp Mowglis, P.O. Box 9, Hebron, NH 03241 or online at www.mowglis.org/donate/ (mention Jay & Sandee Brown Cub Program Fund). Donations may also be made in Jay’s memory to The Mark Twain House and Museum, 351 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105-6400 or online at www.MarkTwainHouse.org/ support/donate/.

For Jay’s full obituary and online condolences, please visit Mulryanfh.com (Mulryan Funeral Home).