Obituary of John C. Brown

John Charles Brown of Cortland, NY passed peacefully at Cornerstone Hospice in Claremont, FL on October 31, 2023, at the age of 78. John was born in Solon, NY to Leo J. and Grace Hoy Brown. John was an Army veteran, serving with the Corps of Engineers in Korea (1963-1965) before returning home to work on the family farm after the passing of his father and brother. He married his high school sweetheart, Joann Genson, in 1965 and had two children. A lifelong tradesman, John instilled a strong work ethic in those around him. For those old enough to listen, he bestowed his knowledge of construction, tool die-making, car repairs, cooking, and baking. He loved playing cards, telling jokes, and sharing meals with his family and friends, and he was always prepared to whip up enough beer-batter pancakes to feed a small army. John was predeceased by both parents, his sister, Sonia (Robert) Alexander, and his brother Thomas M. Brown. He leaves behind his wife, Joann; his children, Michael (Dianne) Brown and Debra (Christopher) Meddaugh); grandchildren Leah (Connor) LaFontaine, Parker Brown, Connor Brown, Ashley (Nathan) Fox, Jessica Moss, and Daniel Moss; and two great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be at Wirght Beard Funeral Home, 9 Lincoln Ave., Cortland on Sunday November 19th from 2:00PM – 3PM with a memorial service to held at 3PM. Burial will take place in the Spring at McGraw Cemetery, McGraw, NY. You can stream the service by visiting www.wright-beard.com, clicking on John's obituary page and then click the Live Funeral Stream tab. A celebration of John's life will be held at a later date.