Thomas R. Browne, 87, of Marion, died Saturday, March 2, 2013 in Palm Springs, CA where he has wintered for over 20 years. He was the husband of Catherine F. (Saccocia) Browne.
Born in Bridgewater, Mr. Browne was the son of the late Richard J. & Marietta (Benson) Browne. A graduate of Bridgewater High School, Class of 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and served in Europe as 2nd Lieutenant in the 339th Field Artillery Battalion, 88th Division.
After his military service, Mr. Browne embarked on his career in the banking industry. While an undergraduate he began at Brockton Savings Bank. Upon graduation in 1954 from Boston University School of Management he became a federal bank examiner with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston until 1956. At that time he joined Mutual Federal Savings and Loan Association of Whitman as treasurer and subsequently served as president and chairman of the board for nearly 40 years before his retirement in 1995. He was also president of the Federal Savings Bank League of New England, executive committee member of the National League of Federal Savings Banks, and a member of the board of directors for the National Savings and Loan Foundation. He was known for his commitment and dedication to his constituents.
Mr. Browne was also active in community organizations. He served as treasurer of the Whitman chapter of American Red Cross, president of Whitman Kiwanis Club, and a member of the board of trustees at Brockton Hospital.
After a period of nearly 20 years in Whitman, in 1977 he became a year-round resident of Marion. Mr. Browne was a member of the Sippican Tennis Club and member and former treasurer of the Kittansett Club. An avid tennis player, he was also an enthusiastic golfer, sailor, pilot, and lobsterman.
Besides his wife, Mr. Browne is survived by three daughters, Dr. Marcia J. Browne and her husband Dr. Jeffrey W. Clark of Chestnut Hill, Nancy E. Browne of Brockton and Mary Beth Rurode and her husband William E. Rurode, Jr. of Westwood; his grandchildren, Thomas Byron Browne Clark, Samuel MacArthur Benson Clark, the late Harrison Alden Browne Clark, Catherine Elizabeth Browne Rurode, and William Ernest Rurode, III; his brother, John J. Browne of Buzzards Bay and many nieces and nephews.
All are invited to attend a memorial service to be held on Saturday, July 13, 2013 in Wickenden Chapel at Tabor Academy, Spring Street, Marion at 11:00 am and the reception following at the family home.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Dr. Peter M. Black Neurosurgical Fund, c/o of Sandi Rufo, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Department of Neurosurgery, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA 02115 or the Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Brookline, MA 02284-9168.
Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com