Leesburg FL- Andrew F. Brown Jr., 92, formerly of Raymertown, New York, passed away peacefully in his home on March 16, 2025 in Leesburg, Florida. Known as Andy to some and Bud to others (a lifetime nickname thanks to his sister Beverly), he was born in the family home on November 6, 1932 in Brunswick, New York. When he was seven the family moved to Brooklyn, New York, and in 1950 he graduated from the New York School of Printing in New York City - a foundation that would shape his lifelong career in the printing industry.
Andy enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951 and attended Lithography School at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. As a Petty Officer Second Class, he initially serviced engines on minesweepers and other small ships in Japan before transitioning to work as a printer aboard the USS Estes, which served as the command ship for H-bomb testing in the South Pacific. Upon returning stateside, he was stationed at the communication station at Pearl Harbor until his honorable discharge in 1955.
On March 3, 1962 Andy married his sweetheart, Joan Swanno. They moved back upstate to Raymertown, NY later that fall, building their own home where they would share 50 years of love and devotion along with their family. A hard-working and loving son, brother, husband, uncle, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he cherished time spent with his family above all else.
With the foundation laid through specialized high school and military training, Andy built a successful career in the printing industry. He held positions ranging from color separator to pre-press foreman and production manager at Whitehurst Printing, Yund Color, Crest Litho, and M&J Separation until his retirement. His expertise and dedication left a lasting impact on those he worked with throughout his career.
Andy is survived by his three daughters, Loretta (Richard) Putorti of Rotterdam, NY, Beverly (Kevin) McGuirk of Raymertown, NY and Andrea (Scott) Malinowski of Leesburg, FL; his sister, Beverly Fredericks, of Raymertown, NY; eight grandchildren, Andrew and William Farnam, Kevin and Hayley McGuirk, David and Elizabeth Malinowski, and Richard Jr. and Anna Putorti; and two great-grandchildren, Christopher and Madison Farnam. He will be deeply missed by several nieces and nephews who held him dear. He was predeceased by his parents Andrew and A. Helen (Derby) Brown, and his beloved wife Joan.
A man of deep faith, Andy was a devoted parishioner of St. George Catholic Church in Pittstown and Our Lady of Victory in Troy. He served as a Eucharistic Minister, lector, and parish council member - roles that reflected his commitment to his church community.
Andy was a true patriot, and held his Navy service in high regard. As such, he was honored to be chosen to participate in a Patriot Flight to our Nation’s Capital in May, 2019 along with sponsor and beloved niece, Ruth Fredericks. In retirement Andy embraced life fully. He enjoyed traveling with family to destinations such as Mount Rushmore and Niagara Falls and even revisited Pearl Harbor in 2022. A lover of warm weather and sunshine, he made the most of Florida living after relocating in 2022, by enjoying afternoons by the pool and cheering on his community’s softball team and had an annual pass to Disney World - a testament to his youthful spirit and joy for adventure!
Relatives and friends are invited to call between 2:00 - 4:00 PM on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home, 2237 NY Route 7, Troy, NY 12180. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Church, Crescent, 86 Church Hill Road, Waterford, NY 12188. Burial with military honors will follow at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Veterans Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Andy's memory to Capital District Patriot Flight, Inc., at https://patriotflight.org/donate-now/, with a Paypal account, a check may be sent to Patriot Flight, Inc., PO Box 13776, Albany, NY 12212 or received in person at the calling hours on Sunday.
Andy’s legacy of love for family, faithfulness to his beliefs, and dedication to his work will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
Andy enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951 and attended Lithography School at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. As a Petty Officer Second Class, he initially serviced engines on minesweepers and other small ships in Japan before transitioning to work as a printer aboard the USS Estes, which served as the command ship for H-bomb testing in the South Pacific. Upon returning stateside, he was stationed at the communication station at Pearl Harbor until his honorable discharge in 1955.
On March 3, 1962 Andy married his sweetheart, Joan Swanno. They moved back upstate to Raymertown, NY later that fall, building their own home where they would share 50 years of love and devotion along with their family. A hard-working and loving son, brother, husband, uncle, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he cherished time spent with his family above all else.
With the foundation laid through specialized high school and military training, Andy built a successful career in the printing industry. He held positions ranging from color separator to pre-press foreman and production manager at Whitehurst Printing, Yund Color, Crest Litho, and M&J Separation until his retirement. His expertise and dedication left a lasting impact on those he worked with throughout his career.
Andy is survived by his three daughters, Loretta (Richard) Putorti of Rotterdam, NY, Beverly (Kevin) McGuirk of Raymertown, NY and Andrea (Scott) Malinowski of Leesburg, FL; his sister, Beverly Fredericks, of Raymertown, NY; eight grandchildren, Andrew and William Farnam, Kevin and Hayley McGuirk, David and Elizabeth Malinowski, and Richard Jr. and Anna Putorti; and two great-grandchildren, Christopher and Madison Farnam. He will be deeply missed by several nieces and nephews who held him dear. He was predeceased by his parents Andrew and A. Helen (Derby) Brown, and his beloved wife Joan.
A man of deep faith, Andy was a devoted parishioner of St. George Catholic Church in Pittstown and Our Lady of Victory in Troy. He served as a Eucharistic Minister, lector, and parish council member - roles that reflected his commitment to his church community.
Andy was a true patriot, and held his Navy service in high regard. As such, he was honored to be chosen to participate in a Patriot Flight to our Nation’s Capital in May, 2019 along with sponsor and beloved niece, Ruth Fredericks. In retirement Andy embraced life fully. He enjoyed traveling with family to destinations such as Mount Rushmore and Niagara Falls and even revisited Pearl Harbor in 2022. A lover of warm weather and sunshine, he made the most of Florida living after relocating in 2022, by enjoying afternoons by the pool and cheering on his community’s softball team and had an annual pass to Disney World - a testament to his youthful spirit and joy for adventure!
Relatives and friends are invited to call between 2:00 - 4:00 PM on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home, 2237 NY Route 7, Troy, NY 12180. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Church, Crescent, 86 Church Hill Road, Waterford, NY 12188. Burial with military honors will follow at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Veterans Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Andy's memory to Capital District Patriot Flight, Inc., at https://patriotflight.org/donate-now/, with a Paypal account, a check may be sent to Patriot Flight, Inc., PO Box 13776, Albany, NY 12212 or received in person at the calling hours on Sunday.
Andy’s legacy of love for family, faithfulness to his beliefs, and dedication to his work will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.