Obituary of Rod Alexander Brown

It is with broken hearts that we say good-bye to our loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. Rod passed away on August 12, 2022 with his wife and daughter by his side. We were truly blessed to have had Rod in our lives, creating memories that we will treasure forever. Rod was born and raised in Sydney and moved to Sheet Harbour in 1970 to take a teaching position, eventually building his own home there. He and Marilyn married in 1971. He loved his career as an Industrial Arts Teacher at DMHS and was highly respected by his students and colleagues. Many students would tell him that he had greatly influenced their lives. He continues to be affectionately referred to as ‘Mr. Brown’ by those he taught.Rod was proud to have been born and raised in Cape Breton. He and Marilyn loved their Cape Breton roots and visited often. They also enjoyed traveling and treasured their winters in Florida where they made lifelong friends.Although the center of his life was family, Rod had many hobbies and excelled at all that he was passionate about. He loved antique vehicles and had a wealth of knowledge about them. He independently restored a 1951 Chevrolet and his father’s 1978 Ford truck. He loved music, had a beautiful voice and was a great guitar player. He had the ability to play any instrument he picked up and loved to entertain with his musical talents. He was a past member of Sheet Harbour Lions, Eastern Shore Memories Cruisers, a local men’s choir Roll of the Sea and St. Peter’s church choir. In 2013 Rod’s health declined, he accepted his illness bravely and continued to enjoy life with the people he loved. His last four years were spent in the excellent care of Harbourview Lodge. Our family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. MacDonald and all HVL staff members for their caring and dedicated service to Rod where he, Marilyn and Shelley felt truly welcomed and cared for. You helped to make an extremely trying time a little bit easier. We are forever grateful for your kindness and support.Rod leaves behind his best friend and wife of 51 years, Marilyn (nee Murphy); daughter Shelley (Jason) Leslie; grandson Nolan; brother Duncan Brown (Vera Berzuk), Sydney; brother and sister in-law Bob and Pat Munroe, Sydney; niece Colleen, Florida; nephews Bill, Florida and Robby, Yarmouth. He was predeceased by his parents Neil and Mary Ann Brown, as well as his brother Bill Brown(Melba), Florida. Please join us for a celebration of Rod’s life on Monday, August 22, 2022 at 2:00pm, with music at 1:30pm at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Sheet Harbour, with Father Keith Billard officiating. Reception to follow at the Sheet Harbour Lions Center. Family flowers only. Donations may be made in Rod’s name to the Harbourview Lodge Recreation Department.