Obituary of James E. Brown

James “Jim” Elmer Brown, lifelong resident of Midland Park, NJ, passed away on Sunday, June 24, 2018 at the age of 90. His parents were the late Elmer E. Brown and Hester L. (Weiss) Brown of Midland Park, Waldwick and Kissimmee, Florida. Jim attended the Midland Park Public School and graduated from Pompton Lakes High School in 1945. He immediately joined the United States Marine Corps with which he proudly served for two years during WWII. Jim began his business career in the insurance industry with Crumm & Forster in New York City for seven years prior to starting in his own business. He was owner and president of Eastern Insurers in Midland Park and retired in 1992 after 46 years in the insurance field. Following his retirement, Jim worked as a Real Estate Salesman for Genesis Realtors in Midland Park. He was active in Midland Park affairs, having been a member and past president of the Lions Club, he served on the Planning Board for 25 years (1957-1982), was a member of the Midland Park Public Assistance Board and a lifetime member of the Midland Park American Legion Post No. 130 of which his Father, Elmer E. Brown was a charter member. In his earlier years, Jim was widely known for his field drumming and was a New Jersey State Champion when he was a member of the Doremus Post 55 Drum and Bugle Corps in Hackensack, NJ. A highlight for Jim was when they won the American Legion National Championship in 1947 on his 20th Birthday. Jim and his wife, Elaine, spent many years enjoying Bermuda and at their condominium in Quechee, Vermont where he formerly served as Treasurer of the Lakeland Village Condominium Association. Jim was a long time active member of the Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff (formerly the Wyckoff Baptist Church), having served as a Trustee, Elder, and Usher. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Elaine E. Brown; two cherished daughters, Dale Karen Brown and Allison B. Johnston, her husband Peter; three Grandchildren: James B. Johnston, his wife Chelsea, Abigail E. Johnston, Capt. Thomas R. Johnston, his wife Jenna Marie; three Great-Grandchildren: Nevaeh, Odin, and Isla Johnston; two brothers Allan Brown, Donald Brown and a sister, Betty Ann Bodenschatz. Jim was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Jane Ackerman (2006) and his brother Harold W. Brown (2017). Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 28, 2018 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home (vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff. The funeral service and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to the Cornerstone Christian Church, 495 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481.