Obituary of Joseph Ruffin Brown

Joseph Ruffin Brown, of Howell Township died peacefully on Saturday, February 21, 2009 surrounded by his family in his hospital room at CentraState Medical Center. Born and raised in Freehold, Joe Brown was the only surviving child of the late Ernest and Vivian Ruffin Brown. He was predeceased by his four brothers Leonard, Ernest, Lawrence and Harold, and two sisters Anne and Patricia. Joe attended Court Street School and Freehold Boro High School. During his freshman year he was a member of the track team and held the state high jump record. In 1951 he was drafted in the United States Army and served in the Korean Conflict until he was honorably discharged in 1953. Two years later, he married Constance Bergen at the Second Baptist Church on May 28, 1955. Together they had three sons, Marc (deceased,) Keith and Richard and raised their family on Institute Street in Freehold until they moved to The Villages in Howell in 2002. An avid Dallas Cowboys fan, Joe was a hard working man who provided a comfortable life for his family. He worked as a manager for Freehold Electric Company until he retired in 1979. Joe also put each of his three sons through college, an accomplishment of which he was extremely proud. A loyal friend and family man, he was also proud of his large extended family. He was the patriarch of the Brown/Ruffin clan and was loved and respected by his many nieces, nephews and cousins. With the looks of a leading man and the strength and discipline of a boxer, Joe was a loyal friend and led a full life with no regrets. When Joe and Connie got married there was a bet going on around town that the marriage wouldn’t last more than six months. On May 28, 2005 in New York City, he renewed his vows with his wife in celebration of 50 years of marriage. They would have celebrated their 54th anniversary this May. The thing that brought him the most happiness in the final years was living to see the birth of his first grandchild and the inauguration of the first black President of the United States. Joe is survived by his wife Connie; his youngest son Richard; his middle son, Keith, his daughter-in-law Maria and grand-daughter Azuri Jolie; an adopted son Stephen Williams and his wife Fatina; an aunt and uncle, Geraldine Williams and Stewart Ruffin; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones, including a special cousin Bernice Brooks and niece Sheryl Mott, who were among his immediate family when he took his last breath. The viewing will be held on Wednesday, February 25th at Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 26th at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.