Dennis Brown

Dennis C. Brown of Orange City, Fla., and formerly of Cottage, N.Y., passed away on Jan. 6, 2022, due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease with Lewy Body Dementia.

He leaves a legacy in Western New York and West Volusia communities.

He was drafted into the Army in 1965, serving in Vietnam under the Headquarters of the First Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division & 426th Signal Battalion in Fort Bragg, N.C. He attained a Bachelor of Arts and masters degree at SUNY Fredonia. He taught elementary school for over 30 years combined at Springville Griffith Institute, Springville, N.Y., and Osteen Elementary School (Volusia County School District) in Florida. He served on the Planning Council and as commissioner for the townships of Dayton, N.Y., and Orange City, Fla. He is a member of the American Legion Post 1593 (South Dayton, NY) and lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2522 (Cherry Creek, N.Y.).

He enjoyed classic country and bluegrass music and working on projects in his man cave, the garage.

He is survived by his of wife of 53 years, Rhodella (Ennis) of Orange City, Fla., formerly of Cottage, N.Y.; their children: Jennifer Brown of Orange City and his granddaughter, Meagan Rodriguez and fiance, Scott Sullivan of Dunedin, Fla., Jereme and his wife, Melissa (Welch) and his grandsons: Slade, Austin, Mason of Orange City, Fla., Dr. Jessica Brown and her husband, Dr. Dwayne Henry of Baton Rouge, La., and Jaclyn Fekeith and his grandchildren: Warren, Sarah, and Sean residing in Kings Beach, Calif. He is survived by his brothers: Richard Brown of Dunkirk, N.Y., and Douglas (Dorothy) Brown of Franklinville, N.Y. He has many nieces and nephews whom he adored and whom loved him very much. He is predeceased by his parents, Clinton J. Brown and Doris (Parsell) formerly of South Dayton, N.Y.; and sister-in-law, Lynn (Richard’s wife).

All are welcome to attend the Florida memorial service on Jan. 15, at First United Methodist Church (Sanctuary, Bldg 1) located at 115 E Howry Ave., DeLand, 32724 at 11a.m. The memorial service will be followed by a reception in Building 4. A separate graveside service will be held at the Cottage Cemetery, Cottage, N.Y., on June 25 at 11a.m.

Expressions of sympathy may be posted online (www.distasiofuneral home) under DiStasio Funeral Home, Balcom Corners, South Dayton, N.Y.

Flowers may be sent to the Jan 15 church location, or donations given on his behalf to the Adam Quinn Scholarship Fund at First United Methodist Church (address above or online www.fumcdeland.org/ give)