Obituary of Randall Brown
Randall (Randy) Spencer Brown,
July 6, 1964-December 9, 2023
Born with Down Syndrome at a time when there was little recognition that individuals with intellectual disabilities could live a full life, Randy had “champions” who believed differently. This included his mother who made the loving decision to bring him home from the hospital after he was born. Normal practice at that time was to place such individuals in institutions.
Throughout his life, his “champions” refused to let Randy be defined by what he couldn't do. Rather, they rejoiced in seeing his potential and enabling that to shine through. Though he never learned to read or write, he could read people like a book. He lived in the moment and touched people's lives deeply so as never to be forgotten. If you were a friend of Randy's, you knew it (whether you were of the human kind or a beloved “stuffed toy”)!
For a few years of his life, Randy attended the LINES Program where he met his one and only “Maria”. Also during this time, he longed for summers so he could attend Camp Misquah with his late brother (and “partner in crime”) Davey. He loved music and dancing, and going on holidays, and wrestling, and jig-saw puzzles, and Bingo, and going out to restaurants for his favourite meal (salmon and rice).
Without question, perhaps his greatest joy was when he moved into Garden Terrace Long-term Care Facility where he developed many deep and caring friendships. A Celebration of Randy's Life will be held at Garden Terrace in the near future to honour the staff who so lovingly cared for his every need over many long years.
Today, his remaining siblings and their families are left to mourn his loss: Cindy (Paul); Wayne (Sue); Brian (Bernie); Debbie (John); Geoff (Fran); Charlie (Shannon); and Carol. Also left to mourn are his Garden Terrace family and many friends who, over the years, have been blessed to know him.
A funeral service will be held for Randy at Pinecrest Remembrance Chapel, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa on Friday, December 15th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a reception. This service will be officiated by the Reverend Chung Yan Lam, Associate Priest, All Saints' Anglican Church (Westboro).
For those wishing to make a donation to a charity in memory of Randy, we would kindly ask you to consider: The Westboro Region Food Bank.