Henry James Brown

Henry James Brown, Jr., 89, passed away on Monday, August 16, 2021, at Saratoga Hospital. He was born in Plattsburgh, NY, on June 12, 1932, to Henry J. Brown, Sr. and Eva Fushey, and raised in Elizabethtown. Hank, as he was known to everyone, joined the army after high school, where he served in Korea. After returning home he worked construction jobs throughout the Northeast, including time as a union foreman during the construction of the Empire State Plaza. In 1976 he moved his family to Arizona to work on the Palo Verde - Salt River Project, which remains one of the largest power generating stations in the country. After returning to upstate New York, he started his own company, B&B Construction, building houses and doing home renovations.

Hank was married to the love of his life, Dorothea Marie Harrington, of Rensselaer, NY, for 58 years, until her death five years ago, in 2016. Hank was one of nine children, all of whom pre- deceased him. He was also predeceased by his great-grandson Parker Theodore Wait. Survivors include his three daughters, Mary Lou Wait (Jeffrey), of Saratoga Springs, Tammy Johnston (Tim), of Andover MA, Mary Anne Olley (and her partner Walter Davies), of Ballston Spa, his stepdaughter Suzanne Whittemore (Carroll) of Clinton Township MI, as well as his grand- children, Jennifer Wait-Clay (Jaron), Arielle Wait (Eric Davis), Katherine Wait, Kara Flaherty-Yelle (Stephen), Sarah Brown Olley, and Norah Olley. He also had many nieces, nephews and great- grandchildren with whom he loved spending time. The feeling was mutual. Several years ago, Hank discovered he had distant relatives, members of the Puyallup Indian Tribe, who live near the shores of Puget Sound in Washington State, and since then many of these relatives, including his niece Linda Earl and grand-nephew Chester Earl, have crossed the country just to visit with him. These reunions were joyful moments for Hank. He also had a few close and loyal friends who were dear to him, and who in the last few years, as he got older and needed sup- port, were always there in an instant. Or sometimes they just stopped by to say hello, have a cup of coffee, and maybe play a few rounds of cribbage. Many thanks and blessings go out to Ed Olley, Jimmy Howard, and Jim Evans. Last, but not least, Charlie should be thanked for being Hank’s constant companion and assistant for the past five years. Charlie is about the friendliest and most loving cat there ever was, and they were best friends. (Donations in Hank’s name to H.O.P.E. Pet Adoption Center, in Wilton, where Hank and Charlie found each other, are encouraged, and will be appreciated).

Calling hours will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Sunday, August 29, 2021 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY.  For those who wish to stay, there will be a memorial service following the calling hours.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11 am on Monday, August 30, 2021 at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871.  It will be a sad occasion, but also joyful, as Hank and Dorrie will be united once again to share their final resting place.

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