Coconut Creek, FL – Dean R. Brown Jr., 97, of Coconut Creek Fla., passed away on July 4, 2026.
Mr. Brown was born in Belchertown, Mass., on June 16, 1929, to Ethel Mae (née Piper) and Dean R. Brown Sr. He was a student at Ware High School, where he was a catcher on the baseball team. He continued his baseball career in Grafton, Mass., and throughout his life.
After school, Mr. Brown enlisted in the Army and joined the 1st Infantry Division and was soon deployed to Germany for four years. He came back to a family that had moved to Bellows Falls, Vt., where he met his wife, Margaret. They were married June 20, 1953.
Mr. Brown went on to work for Connolly Fuels delivering coal until Mr. Connolly recommended him to the local police force. He was hired onto the force and in uniform directing traffic the next day for Bellows Falls Police. He quickly rose through the ranks to become the force’s night sergeant, and then moved to Ludlow, Vt., where he became the Chief of Police.
He started a robust career in public service when he was offered a Town Manager position in Heartland, Vt. He went on to be the Town Manager of Wallingford, Vt., Cavendish, Vt., and finally his favorite home, Ludlow, Vt., where he was the Town Manager for 24 years.
A very active Standardbred owner for most of his life, Mr. Brown bought his first horse in 1958 from Jonas Beiler, who would become his longtime business partner in racing. His most memorable horses included Royal Trick, a first crop son of Overtrick, and America’s Cup. Among his favorite tracks were Hinsdale Raceway in New Hampshire, Green Mountain Park in Vermont and Saratoga Raceway. His horses also raced at Yonkers, Vernon Downs, Foxboro Raceway, Rockingham Park, Pompano Park and, of course, the Vermont State Fair in Rutland.
Mr. Brown is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret; son, James; grandchildren, Morgan and Tyler; and great-grandchildren, Alphonse, Augustus, Eli, and Margaret.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Roberta Brown; his sisters, Arlene Parker and Barbara Grimes; brother, Frank Brown; and half-siblings Deane Brown and Marlene Morse.
No services are scheduled at this time.