THOMASTON — Reverend Joseph W. Brown, 90, went home to be with his Lord, Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the Sussman House in Rockport.

Born in Pennsylvania, June 21, 1928, he was one of 8 children born to B. Stanley and Bessie Wiles Brown. Joe grew up in Rochester, New York where he attended school. After leaving school to help support his family, Joe later earned his GED.

At the age of 17, having barely survived a diving accident, Joe dedicated his life to the Lord and serving Him. In 1951 he graduated from New England Bible Institute in Framingham, Massachusetts and was licensed to preach. From there, Joe moved to Torrington, Connecticut where he started an Assembly of God Church.

During this time, he stayed in touch with his college sweetheart, Marilyn Burke, who had moved there to run a children’s program. The two were married on September 19, 1953. While in Connecticut, Joe and Marilyn welcomed two children into their family, William and Judith.  

Next the family moved to Hamburg, New Jersey, where Joe pastored a church for just over two years. His thirst for knowledge and the desire to serve the Lord, led Joe and his family to Missouri where he earned his Bachelors of Art from Central Bible Institute. Returning to Connecticut, the family stayed with friends while Joe candidate at churches up and down the East Coast.

Accepting a pulpit in Thomaston, Joe pastored the Thomaston Assembly of God Church for over 30 years. Here in Maine, the family welcomed their third child, a son, Mark.

Joe had a heart for service and his love for others shined in all of the work he did. He was instrumental in the development of TIF, Thomaston Inter-Faith Fellowship. His bond with others and their common goal to show Christ’s love and help those in need, is what led them to establish such vital community organizations as the Thomaston Food Pantry and the Hospitality House. He was also active in the Prison Ministry, as well as serving as Treasurer and Presbyter for the District Assemblies of God.

Joe’s life centered around ministry and serving others, but he loved to have fun himself as well. Always active, he loved a good round of golf, watching the Red Sox or Patriots, and even bowled in the Senior Bowling League until his 90th birthday. He never missed the chance to play a good natured prank, and could often be heard playing the piano or accordion.  

Together with his beloved wife, he especially enjoyed a trip to England for their 25th wedding anniversary, and a tour of Israel and Greece, given to them by their church family upon retirement. They were active and firm believers in visitation and often looked in on, called, and prayed for those who couldn’t make it to church, were shut-in or just in need of a listening ear.  

He will be sadly missed by all who loved him.  

Joe is predeceased by all of his siblings; his wife Marilyn, and a grandson-in-law Sam Whitley, both in 2015.

Joe is survived by his children, William Brown and his wife June of Hope, Judith Hastings and her husband Ronnie of Thomaston, Mark Brown and his wife Sonya of Columbia, SC; four grandchildren, James Brown and his wife Heidi, Lynn Jackson and her husband Ravi, Stacey Whitley and her husband Jim Denman, Scott Hastings and his wife Kristy; and eight great-grandchildren, Colton and Hailie, Felicity and Mina, Brayden, Tessa and Tucker, and Robert.  

Family and friends are invited to visit Wednesday, May 8, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

A Home-Going Celebration will be held Thursday, May 9, at 10 a.m., at Thomaston Assembly of God Church, 14 Roxbury Street, Thomaston.  

Those who wish may make memorial donations to the TIF Food Pantry, c/o Roberta Carmichael, 9 Elm Street, Thomaston, ME 04861.

To share a memory or condolence with Rev. Brown’s family, visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.