Vernon Robert Brown
October 18, 1925 to March 16, 2014
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Vernon Robert Brown. Vern passed away quietly at Providence Place on March 16, 2014. Vern served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. He was a sailor on the HMCS Edmonston and the HMCS Sherbrooke. One of his proudest moments was celebrating VE Day in London, England. After the war, Vern arrived in Moose Jaw in the fall of 1950. He was hired as one of two auctioneers by the Moose Jaw stockyards to set up the first live cattle auctions in Saskatchewan. He continued this business for 15 years. During this time he also set up his auction business at the corner of 1st Avenue NW and River Street in downtown Moose Jaw, where the Saturday afternoon auctions were a regular event in the downtown area. In addition to running his auction business and selling for the stockyards, he also took on the job of developing the North Shore of Buffalo Pound Lake, selling lots, and building a summer home that became a focal point for many of the Brown Family activities for more than 50 years. It became a place where both friends and family from all over the world visited and enjoyed Vern and wife Joan's hospitality. Over the years Vern's business continued to grow and expand as Vern Brown's Fine Furniture and Auction, located for many years at 60 River Street E. Along with the store, Vern also ran a successful farm auction business which took him to all areas of the province. In 1996, Vern was named to The Auctioneers Hall of Fame in North Battleford, Sask. Vern was also heavily involved in charitable work and was a longstanding member of the Moose Jaw Lions Club, where he served as president in the early 1960's. Vern's charity work included contributing monetary support for several local projects, including the new Union Hospital. However, the one he was the most proud of is being a driving force in the establishment of the John Chisholm School for the Mentally Challenged. As an avid sportsman and hunter, Vern was also heavily involved in Ducks Unlimited and the World Wildlife Federation. In 1987 he was the auctioneer for the Ducks Unlimited and World Wildlife Federation dinner and auction, where His Royal Highness Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh was in attendance. Vern was also active in the Federal Liberal Party where he ran for the party in two federal elections. During this time Vern met with and sat in on policy discussions, with then Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, as well as several cabinet ministers. He was pleased to be able to provide a Saskatchewan perspective. Throughout his many years in the community, Vern was given several awards, including the 1972 Moose Jaw Citizen of the Year. He and his wife Joan were also invited to meet and have dinner with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, during her 1978 visit to Canada. Vern was an avid horseman. He enjoyed saddling up his big Palomino, Golden Boy and going on wagon trains during the summer months. In 1971 he organized and was the wagon master for the Saskatchewan Home Coming Wagon Train from Fort Qu'Appelle to Moose Jaw. This event was featured in the CBC television show "Telescope". Vern is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan, his children, Art, Scott (Liisa O'Hara), Michael (Deborah), Margaret (the late Doug Neff), his grandchildren, Kara (Frank Galasso), Bridget (Michael Law), Brenna, Travis (Rhonda Vander Vyver), Alexandra, and his great-grandson, Lennox Law. He is also survived by his brothers Murray in Saginaw, Texas and Roy (Bette) in Langley, BC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Vern’s life will be held at St.Joseph’s Church, 1064 Third Ave. N.W., on Thursday May 22, 2014 at 1:30 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Providence Place Foundation or the Moose Jaw Health Foundation. In living memory of Vern, a memorial planting will be made by W.J. Jones & Son Funeral Home. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries).