John M. Brown

John Brown, 81, of Massillon, Ohio passed away on November 13, 2023. He was born on December 10, 1941, to the late Robert and Martha (Jean) Brown.

John was 1960 graduate of Central Catholic High School, where he was an All-Ohio running back. He then attended the University of Maryland on a football scholarship. After college, he married the love of his life Joyce. John enjoyed spending his time at Lake Mohawk, boating, water skiing, and passing on his love of water sports to others. He was an avid Cleveland and Ohio sports fan. He enjoyed being with his family and stayed close with a lot of high school friends and colleagues.

In addition to his parents, John was also preceded in death by his daughter, Christine Brown, in-laws, Ruth Helline, Leo Helline, Marilyn Pauley, Ken Berens, Hugh Connors and Lou Cerreta.

John is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Joyce; children, Kathy (Jeff) Bushman and John R. (Cathy) Brown; grandchildren, Alyssa (Zach) Meissner, Jared (Hannah) Bushman and Paige (Ted) Fisher; great-grandchildren, Max, Roman, Joelle, Lucy, Emelia, Owen and Sloane; siblings, David (Judy) Brown, Margaret Ann (Bob) Driscoll, and Bob (Joy) Brown; in-laws, Ann Berens, Donna Cerreta and Joe (Nancy) Helline.

Visitation will be from 5:30pm to 7:30pm on Monday, November 20, 2023 at Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home. A Memorial Mass will be held Tuesday at 11:00am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Massillon. Fr. Ed Gretchko will be officiating with Fr. Tom Bishop.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in John's memory may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (www.cff.org/donate).