Obituary of Allen Brown

Allen D. "Mike" Brown, 81, died at his residence in Saturday Cove on September 11, 2011. He was born in Belfast December 15, 1929, the son of Earle and Ruth (Bradford) Brown. Growing up on the shores of Penobscot Bay, Mike's love and appreciation of the Maine coast was inherited from his dad, a lifelong fisherman. He and his Dad, Earle "the Old Man", maintained a fish weir near the mouth of Little River. Mike graduated from Crosby High School in 1947 and then served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War. He fought in the famous Chosin Reservoir Campaign with his Eternal Band of Brothers of the 1st Marine Division. Later Mike was fortunate enough to be invited by the South Korean government to participate in the 50th anniversary of the end of that war in 2005. After the war, a letter to the editor of Maine Coast Fisherman, using the pen name Cap'n Perc Sane, began his 60 year journalism career and a monthly column continuing in that paper until his death. Mike began as a newspaper reporter and later became editor of two local newspapers, The Republican Journal and the Camden Herald. He authored two books, Saturday Cove and The Great Lobster Chase. In more recent years he became an independent columnist forming Hometown News Service providing news to various state newspapers covering state politics from his office overlooking Penobscot Bay. Living on the coast of Maine afforded Mike the opportunity to pursue his love of everything Penobscot Bay had to offer. He enjoyed hauling his lobster traps, fishing for the elusive striped bass and the more common mackerel. He especially loved riding with his grandsons, Doug and Patrick, on the tugboats in Penobscot Bay and Portland. The ocean was Mike’s love and where he thrived. One of Mike's biggest accomplishments, he felt, was being instrumental in the clean-up of Belfast harbor during the poultry industry days, winning a settlement and donating it to the construction of the Belfast City Park pool. Mike was a devoted husband and dad to his wife and kids. He was also known to some as "the grandfather of Saturday Cove" with a open door to any and all, even the neighborhood dogs would love to visit Mike for a treat. His beloved chocolate lab Mocha who accompanied him most of the time, whether on the boat lobstering or at his feet in the office will miss him dearly. He was predeceased by a sister. Sally Vallone and is survived by his wife Mary of Saturday Cove, his children Beth Fournier and her husband Arthur of South Portland, Sue Brown of Northport, Eben Brown of Studio City, California: his grandchildren, Douglas and Patrick Fournier. A celebration of Mike's life will be held Friday, September 16, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Riposta Funeral home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast. Those who wish may make donations in Mike's memory to Town Line Animal Shelter, Baker Rd, Belfast, Me 04915. On-line condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com.