Brick, New Jersey—Oscar Brown, 95, of Brick, N.J. (formerly of Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, and Norfolk) passed away peacefully at home on May 27 after a battle with cancer.
Born in Norfolk to Israel and Gussie Brown (of blessed memory), the youngest brother of Rose Brown Mensh, Betty Brown Segal, and Leah Brown Abramson (all of blessed memory). Oscar lived most of his life in the Tidewater area. He was a Boy Scout and became an Eagle Scout.
He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Tech) and Medical College of Virginia (now Virginia Commonwealth University) School of Pharmacy, earning the degree of Bachelor of Science and became a Registered Pharmacist from the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.
He owned Brown’s Pharmacy on High Street in Portsmouth. He served as the director of Pharmacy Services at Maryview Hospital (now Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center) in Portsmouth. He worked as a state employee in the Portsmouth Health Department. He was a past president of the Virginia Society of Hospital Pharmacists. He also became a licensed HVAC contractor.
Oscar served in the United States Navy during World War II, including on the battleship USS North Carolina BB-55 and was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Electronic Technician’s Mate Third Class.
Oscar was active in his community. He was a past president of Gomley Chesed Congregation, then in Portsmouth. He was honored by the Men’s Club with the Blue Yarmulka Man of the Year Award.
Oscar was extremely talented in many fields, particularly with a great ability to fix things. He enjoyed using many different tools and always looked for the next project to be worked on.
Oscar was predeceased by his wife, Elaine Bennett Brown (of blessed memory). Oscar is survived by his children, Susan Brown Rubin (Robert) and Michael Bradley Brown; his grandchildren, Daniel Rubin (Miriam), Jonathan Rubin, Greg Brown (Chelsea) and Jeff Pate Brown (Kayla), his great-granddaughter Elaine Lucille Pate Brown, and his many nieces and nephews.
The funeral was graveside at Chevra Thilim Cemetery, Portsmouth. Shiva was observed in New Jersey.
Donations in Oscar’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements by Belkoff Goldstein Funeral Chapel in Lakewood, N.J. and by Sturtevant Funeral Home in Portsmouth, Va.