John Brown Iii

LANCASTER, NH - John Brown III, a resident of Holton Point and a Hospice Care patient, passed away on April 18, following a long illness.

John was born on November 6, 1929 to John and Ruth (Cutler) Brown of Montpelier, VT. He received his education in grades 2-9 in Montpelier. When his family moved to Orange, VT in 1944, he was transferred to Spaulding High School in Barre, graduating in 1947. In 1951 he graduated from the University of Vermont and continued doing graduate work at Boston University, UVM, Plymouth State College, Bates College, and UNHCOLL.

In October 1951 he served in the US Army in the Korean Conflict. As a member of 622nd MPCOI Corps in Uijongbu, South Korea, he was fortunate to serve in the Honor Guard with escort for President-Elect Dwight D. Eisenhower in December, 1952.

Upon his discharge, John was employed at a drug store in Woodsville, NH for two years. Upon receiving his NH Teacher's Certification, he taught chemistry and mathematics at Lisbon High School for 36 years.

During the summers of 1958, -59, -60, -62 he taught chemistry and served as housemaster and counselor at St. Paul's School Advanced Studies Program in Concord, NH.

In 1951 John became a Master Mason in George Washington Lodge in Chelsea, VT. He affiliated with Kane Lodge in Lisbon, NH 21958 and served as Worshipful Master in 1969 and 1970, and was awarded the Sullivan Medal by the Grand Lodge of NH. He was active in the Scottish Rite, serving as Sovereign Prince of Washington Council, Princes of Jerusalem of Littleton, NH, and Past Most Wise Master of Littleton Chapter of Rose Croix. He served as Orator of the NH Consistory from which he received the Meritorious Service Award. In 2011 he received recognition for 60 years of membership from the Grand Lodge of Vermont.

On August 14, 1964 he married Mary Perham Wetherbee, daughter of Dorothy W. Perham and Ronald A. Perham, Superintendent of Schools in Lisbon, NH. Mary was a former accounting clerk at the Lisbon District Office of the Public Service Company of NH.

John was a member of the Lisbon Teachers' Association, a lifetime member of NEA-NH, a lifetime member of NHTA and a lifetime member of NHRTA. A charter member of the Lisbon Upstage Players, he entertained many theater lovers in musical and dramatic productions.

The Browns enjoyed their summers at their cottage on North Pond in North Woodstock, ME, where they spent much time in the sun, fishing and boating. Their great-grandchildren were christened with water from North Pond supplied buy their father who chopped a hole in the ice the day before Christmas. John found joy in caring for his flowers, small patches of color that brought happiness to passersby. He found pleasure in sharing his vacation home with friends and family.

John's survivors include his wife of 47 years, Mary Brown, who resides at Holton Point in Lancaster; his stepdaughter Andrea and her husband David Craxton of Dalton, NH; his sister Arlene and her husband Donald Accavallo of Rutland, VT; his brother-in-law David and his wife Susan Perham of West Palm Beach, FL; his grandson Ronald and his wife Ivana Josselyn of Riverside, CA; great grandchildren Adam and Kaitlyn Josselyn of Waterford, ME; and cousins, nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his parents.

Calling hours will be held at the Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster on Friday evening, May 11, from 7:00p.m. until 8:30. At 8:00 a brief Masonic service will be held for all who wish to attend.

A celebration of John's life will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, May 12, at the Lancaster Congregational Church, followed by an hour of fellowship and sharing of memories.

In lieu of flowers and in remembrance of John, please consider donating to the Lisbon Regional School Education Foundation, earmarked for the health care professions.