Richard "Rick" James Brown

Richard J. Brown

Died January 24, 2023

Richard James Brown, 70, of Trenton passed away Monday, January 24, 2023. Rick’s death was sudden after an unexpected diagnosis of cancer.

Rick was born November 2, 1952, the son of Harold Brown and Frances (Genaw) Hutchinson. He grew up in Trenton and was the youngest of six children. He was married to Janet (Marchak) Brown, who passed in 1998 from ALS. He is survived by his two children, Derek Brown and Jennifer (Brown) Ferris, their spouses, Anna Brown and Eric Ferris, and his two grandchildren, Donovan and Ryan Ferris.

Rick worked as an electrician for LEVY and later for the city of Dearborn.

Throughout his working years and retirement, he was passionate about health and fitness. He enjoyed weightlifting, walking, and riding his bike. His home was his castle. He took pride in its care and enjoyed being there and having family over for meals. He also loved the outdoors, specifically landscaping, and enjoyed the fruits of his labor – his flowers and the birds they attracted.

He appreciated the simple things – sitting on his deck in the sunshine with a cup of coffee or glass of wine, while listening to music and nature. Rick always had on his game day shirt for the local sports teams, especially his Michigan Wolverines.

Rick was a compassionate individual and recognized the need to support research that improved the lives of others – he happily donated to such causes.

Above all else, Rick loved his children and his grandchildren. He spent much of his retired days with his “his boys,” Donovan and Ryan. He cared for them as their parents worked and later walked them to elementary school each morning. He loved devising new games to play with them and spoiling them with candy, popsicles, and big breakfasts.

In his final moments surrounded by his children, Rick said: “I’ve lived a good life, shorter than I thought, but it was a good life.” He was content and at peace in the end. While Rick will be missed by both his family and friends, they know that he will be continuing to provide them with the same love and care, just from a different place. As he explained to Ryan, his bug lover: Death is like a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly, it is just life in a new dimension.

In lieu of flowers, please make all memorial contributions in honor of Rick directly to the ALS Association.