Obituary of Russell L. Brown

CANASTOTA . . . Russell L. Brown, 56, of 8789 Lewis Point Road, Canastota, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Oneida Healthcare, following a sudden illness. He was born on March 8, 1967, in Oneida, the son of Fred W. Sr. and Arreta (Mason) Brown. Russ has lived in Canastota all of his life, graduating from Canastota High School in 1985. He has been a self-employed contractor in the area for many years, operating Brown & Sons & Daughter Construction Company, retiring in 2017. He was, also, a big part of the operation of Flo's Diner. Russ was a member of the Sons of the American Legion, Charles Miller Post #140 in Canastota, the Tri-Valley Trailriders, Inc., Esta Safety Park Drag Strip in Cicero, and was an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Canastota FFA. He enjoyed spending time at and sharing his creation, Brown's Rusty Pond, snowmobiling, his grandchildren, family and friends, driving his 1967 Chevy Pick-up, building and creating, gardening, and loved being our local Santa. Russ married Susan M. Hoch on January 3, 2005, in Canastota. Surviving besides his wife, Sue, are: his mother, Arreta Brown of Canastota; four sons, Russell and Courtney Brown of Canastota, Kyle Brown of Canastota, Kristopher Brown of Canastota, Jacob and Kayla Smith of Canastota, and Roseanne Brown of Canastota; four daughters, Kimberlee and Matthew Otts of Oneida, Constance Harding of Sherrill, Jodi and Keith Marsala of Canastota, and Cherie and Allen Bealer of California; his ex-wife, Debra Alexander of Ft. Plain; two brothers, Fred, Jr. and Sharon Brown of Catlett, VA, and Michael and Barbara Brown of Verona; three sisters, Catherine and George Kurtz of Madison, Vicki and Angel Johnson of Chittenango, and Debbi Waxenfeld of Wampsville; fifteen grandchildren, Logan Matcham, Lilly Brown, Karson Brown, Paige Harding, Taylor Harding, Andrew Wright, Arrabella Walker, Styx Marsala, Dylan Marsala, Colton Smith, Alyssa Smith, Reid Smith, Brynn Bealer, Abbott Bealer, and Claire Bealer; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Russell, also, leaves behind many great friends he considered family. He was predeceased by his father, Fred W. Brown, Sr. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023, at the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James Street, Canastota. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the funeral home. Pastor Tony Paredes, of the South Bay Chapel will officiate. Burial will be in Whitelaw Cemetery, Canastota. A Celebration of his Life will be held Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. at Brown's Rusty Pond, 8905 Morris Road, Canastota, which all friends and family are invited to attend. In his memory, contributions may be made to the Greater Lenox Ambulance Service, Inc., (GLAS), PO Box 382, Canastota, NY 13032, with envelopes available at the funeral home.