Obituaries

 

Kingsley Lenin Brown

Passed 07/24/2022

Text:

Obituary For Kingsley Lenin Brown

Kingsley Lenin Brown

A humanist from a long family line of social activists, King died peacefully July 24, 2022 in his 90th year.

The son of Kingsley Ewart Brown and Marian Richardson, King grew up in the fishing village of West Jeddore, Nova Scotia. Barely 16, he became a reporter and editor at the Canadian Press, before becoming a pioneer of CBC television journalism in Halifax, Montreal and Toronto. He was a familiar face on television screens in the 60’s, covering the civil rights movement in the United States, the U.S. space program, revolts and revolutions in Cuba and South America, as well as political developments at home and in the Soviet Union. He was especially honoured to have been included by Rev. Martin Luther King in the official party that accompanied him to Oslo to accept his Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Believing that two decades of observing as a reporter did little for social improvement, King’s Centennial project was to return home to Nova Scotia as a participant in community development. He was Director of the People’s School of St. Francis Xavier University, a weekly series of local radio and television programs on the CTV Maritime Network. With sole support of the indigenous community, his threatened lawsuit forced Antigonish to install a sewage treatment plant, restoring traditional eeling grounds in Antigonish Harbour.

He represented the interests of the Atlantic Region’s offshore trawler captains as Executive Director of the Fishing Masters’ Association before the federal government regulated the stocks. He was organizer and then President of the Nova Scotia Landowners and Forest Fibre Producers Association that won collective bargaining and introduced sustainable forestry standards. The Association’s achievements earned it a Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Standard-Setter Award in 2014.

King believed having fun was a significant part of living a healthy life. He was a duck hunter, always accompanied by a Labrador retriever, a trout fisherman with a salmon fly named after him along the Musquodoboit River, a trapper and archer. He was an active private pilot flying 6,000 hours over 70 years in small planes. In his sixties, he planted a vineyard and became a viticulturist. Grapes from his Cotes St. Georges vineyard were used by local wineries to produce wines that earned 34 medals in national and international competitions. He and his wife, Nancy, enjoyed traveling together and they visited Europe every year. Favourite destinations were France and Italy where they made good friends.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Stevens, and his former wife and friend, Evelyn Brown. King credited the unwavering love of Nancy and Evelyn with “getting him through”. He is also survived by sons Kingsley (Cathy), and Bob (Debbie), daughters Patricia, Heather and Nancy (Ron), his brother Quentin and sister Ethel. He was predeceased by his parents, infant son David, son Quentin and sister Bonnie. He loved and was loved by a large extended family of eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, stepdaughters and step grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Dr. Peter Leighton for the excellent and compassionate care Dad received and for helping them navigate the final months of his life. Thanks are also extended to the health care team on 8.1 of the Halifax Infirmary who were so kind to Dad and to the family during his palliative care.

The words of Margaret Laurence resonated with King as he reflected on his life and he wanted those words shared here: “If this were indeed my Final Hour, these would be my words to you. I would not claim to pass on any secret of life, for there is none, or any wisdom except the passionate plea of caring.”

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Condolences

  • 08/10/2022

    Marilyn Walton

    Our fathers were both prisoners of war at Stalag Luft 3, which bonded us as members of a large Stalag Luft 3 community. We had both gone back to visit the camp where our fathers were held--emotional for both of us, and we shared memories of that with each other. We knew each other only by email, but I have lost a wonderful correspondent. Rest in peace, dear friend.

  • 08/05/2022

    Dawn MacNutt and Merle Pratt

    Dear Nancy and Family: We enjoyed many precious memories with Kingsley and yourself in your Antigonish home and elsewhere... that will be remembered with fondness. Our heart goes out to you, Nancy... and Family. Great pictures of special times. With sympathy and love, Dawn and Merle

  • 08/02/2022

    Henry and Barb Overmars

    We are so very sorry for the loss of Kingsley. We so enjoyed knowing him, and sharing wonderful conversations at the Esso over the many years he was a loyal customer. We extend our deepest sympathy to Nancy, and to both her family and Kingsley's family. Henry and Barb Overmars

  • 07/31/2022

    chuck deon

    nice knowing you kingsley. rest in pease. chuck

  • 07/31/2022

    chuck deon

  • 07/30/2022

    Cathy Gavin

    Nancy, I am so sorry for your loss of your father Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Cathy

  • 07/30/2022

    Walter Wilson

    Sorry for your loss. RIP

  • 07/30/2022

    Walter Wilson

    Sorry for your loss. RIP

  • 07/30/2022

    Walter Wilson

    So sorry for your loss. RIP

  • 07/30/2022

    Hans Christian Jost

    Karen and I want to send our condolences to the family and friends of Kingsley. I first met Kingsley and Nancy in the mid 1990's in regard to Kingsley's interest in growing grapes for winemaking. His initial planting of half an acre of Marechal Foch was a success with good sugar acid balance and great flavours. Because of the great characteristics of the wine that was made from Kingsley's grapes we decided to bottle it separately as ' Cote St. George Marechal Foch'. We made many vintages of the popular award winning Cote St. George Marechal Foch until the sale of our business in 2012. Around the year 2000 Kingsley expressed possible interest in expanding his vineyard with L Acadie Blanc grapes but expressed his concern of being 72 years old when the first crop arrives. Our viticulturist Sven von Kintzel said to Kingsley " you are going to be 72 years old whether you plant them or not" . He planted them , with many great harvests to follow. I always enjoyed visiting with Kingsley, listening to his great stories and views on many topics. He was certainly fun and interesting to be around however much he and I may have disagreed on certain subjects. He will certainly be missed. Hans Christian Jost

  • 07/29/2022

    RG "Dick" Stewart

    Condolences to Kingsley's family and friends. - fondly remembered by RG "Dick" Stewart, a childhood friend whose mother taught King in Musquodoboit Harbour many moons ago.

  • 07/29/2022

    charlotte wilson-hammond

    Gordon and I were so sorry to hear of King's death, and we are sending all our best wishes to you. It was a great pleasure to have met and talked with King, and he shared many hilarious stories with us.....Gordon Hammond and Charlotte Wilson-Hammond.

  • 07/29/2022

    Heather Lee Myers

    So sorry to read of Kingsley's passing. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Kinsley and family, I heard so much praise from the Jonah Family, it was as if I knew him. I was married to the late Richard Hillis, ( Son of Barbara Hillis ). Kingsley lived a well accomplished life. Sending love and prayers. Love: Heather Stevens- Hillis- now Myers.

  • 07/29/2022

    David A Tully

    Quentin, sorry to hear of the passing of your brother. Take care.

  • 07/29/2022

    Michael P SPEARNS

    2022-07-29 Nancy & Ron & family; We are sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. He certainly lived a full and productive life, treasured his family and friends. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. God's best Pam & Michael P Spearns

  • 07/28/2022

    Amelian Chiasson and family

    Sending condolences to the Brown family on the passing of Kingsley. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. Amelian Chiasson and family of Pomquet

  • 07/28/2022

    Jim & Linda Benoit

    Deepest condolences to the Brown family. Thoughts & prayers are with you. Jim & Linda Benoit

  • 07/28/2022

    Diane Farrell

    I'm saddened to hear of King's passing but am honoured to have known such a wonderful and caring human being. For many reasons King has and always will hold a very special part of our hearts. To Nancy, Evelyn and all the family please know that my heart is heavy for your loss today but I am for ever grateful that our paths have crossed. Love and prayers to you all....Diane (MacDonald) Farrell and Family

  • 07/27/2022

    Mary grace

    Thinking of you all during this difficult time ,Mary grace

  • 07/27/2022

    Brian Hosmer

    I'm the grandson of Florence (Richardson) Cooper of West Jeddore, and father of Megan Hosmer of Halifax. What an amazing person and full life. I wish I'd known him but am proud he's a relative of mine.

Add a Candle

Click a candle below to add a candle to your message.