NATHAN WELLINGTON BROWN, JR. 63
Nate "Bebop" Brown, originally of Ithaca, NY was called Home on December 5th 2015 in Cumming, GA. His final days were spent surrounded by family.
Nate was born September 27th 1952 in Barton, NY to Nathan, Sr. and Jean (Pinkham) Brown. At only 9 months old, he contracted the polio virus, which malformed his left arm. He never let that disability hold him back, and proved to be the best at everything he did. He attended Ithaca High School in Ithaca, NY. Nate was always free-spirited and left home at the age of 14 to travel the country. He later completed his GED in 1992, which he excelled at, obtaining an almost perfect score, even going on to teach adult math.
Nate was mentored by his long-time friend, Slotteo Ruggiero, whom he looked up to like a father and respected immensely. He went on to open up his own business, "Nate's Shoe 'n' Leather Repair," in Watkins Glen, and eventually Ithaca, NY. After checking that off his bucket list, he went on to another master craft of his, cutter-grind. He worked as a machinist for Ithaca Gun, Therm, Omni, and Stork H&E Turboblading before retiring to Georgia to be with his daughter and her family. Nate was a jack-of-all-trades and mastered each and every one of them.
He enjoyed wood-working, playing dominoes, and spending time with his grandchildren. There was rarely a night he wouldn't be out in front of a campfire (we won't mention just how "close" he was to some of those fires...). His love for camping, hunting, and fishing was apparent in so many of his stories. He loved his freedom, and felt most free riding a Harley Davidson, a love he passed down to his children. Anyone who knew Nate, knew he didn't have a serious bone in his body; he was always full of life, bringing laughter and sarcasm with him everywhere he went. He never cared what anyone thought of him; the eternal goofball. He is still waiting for his cheerleading uniform he earned while cheering on the Newfield Cheerleaders from the stands. He loved sharing his memories with anyone who would listen.
Nate is survived by his three children, Jason (Kelly) Brown of Danby, NY, Sarah (Kenneth) Seymore of Cumming, GA, and Dustin (Crystal) Brown of Trumansburg, NY, five grandchildren, Mackenzie, Wesley, Kaelyn, Emilee, and Kennedy, former spouse, Donna (Corey) Brown, sisters Mindy Dahl, Janie Staples , and Hollie Brown, brothers Barry Brown and Gary Swarthout, Jr., many nieces and nephews, and an amazing group of friends Jim and Mary Spicer, Tammy Polmanteer, Bryan Quinn, Mike and Shelley Bennett, and so many more.
He is pre-deceased by his grandparents, Eva Nina and Charles William Pinkham, and Cecil and Edna Brown, mother Jean (Pinkham) Swarthout, father Nathan Brown, Sr, sister Susan Lampila, and close friend Brett Anderson.
Nate fought a courageous nine month battle with brain cancer. His family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Atlanta Cancer Care, Radiation Oncology, and Intensive Care Unit at Northside Hospital Forsyth, and Embracing Hospice for the excellent care he received throughout this final season of his life.
Calling hours will be held Sunday, December 13th, 2015 from 12 - 2:00pm at Bang's Funeral Home, Ithaca, NY. A celebration of life will will follow at The Moose Lodge from 3:00-6:00 pm. A Private service and burial will be held the following day for family and close friends.
Memorial Contributions can be made in Nate's honor to the Atlanta Cancer Care Foundation, Inc. at http://atlantacancercarefoundation.org/donate/. Written memories can be left at http://www.forevermissed.com/bebop.
