James E. Brown, Jr.

First and last, Jim Brown was a kind man, an honest man, and a man of good character. His generosity of spirit and sense of humor were always there for his family and friends, and he was always first to lend a hand when someone needed help.

Sometime during the past year, Jim began to lose his lifelong battle with alcohol. February 1st, for one brief moment, Jim forgot how much he was loved and how much he would be missed, and he took his own life.

Left to mourn are his wife, Megan; his mother, Claudia Burlett and her husband, Gar; his father, James Brown Sr. and his wife, Betty; his sister, Cyndi Seeley and her husband, Mike; his "brother", Dave Brownell; his nephews: Jeff Pritchard and his wife, Trisha, Justin Pritchard and John Hallenbeck and his wife, Alicia and their children, Lillian and Myles Hallenbeck; his stepson, Devon; Gar's children, Jennifer Crosier and her children: Kody and Kalei and Gar's son Matt Burlett and of course, Titan and Nyx.

Jim grew up in Gloversville, New York and graduated from Gloversville High School. He began working toward an accounting degree, but decided to serve his country. Jim loved being a Marine! His subsequent Army National Guard service included disaster relief during the Mechanicville tornado and during 9/11 (for which he received a personal commendation from Governor Pataki).

In 1999, Jim met and married the love of his life, Megan Kosior, and they settled in Latham. He worked for the Saratoga Brewing Company as Assistant Comptroller until the company closed in January. His big heart included friends at the brewery, people from his volleyball teams and the ballroom dance community, and other devoted Steelers fans. Many people he met casually became his friends, including owners of the many dogs he loved.

We are all richer for having known Jim and we are poorer for his death. We are gathering for a celebration of his life at the church Jim loved and grew up in, Foothills United Methodist Church, 17 Fremont Street, Gloversville, on Sunday, February 18 at 1:00 p.m.