Brother of resident, outdoorsman, inventory analyst
Christopher Brown. (Courtesy photo)
Christopher Lee Brown, 66, of Ashburnham, died peacefully Jan. 4, 2024, at Spaulding Hospital in Cambridge.
Christopher was born in Pontiac, Michigan, in 1957, a son of the late Arnold Lee and Beatrice (Smith) Brown. Growing up in Orchard Lake, Michigan, Christopher enjoyed lake activities with his friends: water-skiing, fishing, boating, and camping on the Clinton River and skiing in northern Michigan.
When Christopher was 12, he traveled to Colorado with his dad to participate in his first deer hunt at Uncle Malcolm’s ranch. There he came to love the vast canyons and buttes and the camaraderie of the hunting camp, and to respect the animals taken in the hunt. After finding unbleached skulls on the butte, Chris was inspired to collect mammal skulls. This unusual hobby led to his nickname of “Road Kill” later in life.
Christopher was tall and lanky, perfectly suited for strength and speed. He particularly loved speed skating, downhill skiing, and backpacking. Christopher even ran in the Boston Marathon three times, deciding to participate without any training. His determination carried him through each race.
Christopher’s high school years were at the Holy Cross Abbey School in Canyon City, Colorado. He played football and participated in many pranks and weekend campfires. His fellow Abbey “bear brothers” were lifelong friends and a support to him in his final months.
After high school, he spent a year at home helping to care for his grandmother, Madeline Smith, before graduating from Montana State University in Bozeman with a degree in landscape design and architecture.
Christopher enjoyed working various outdoor jobs, including landscaping and building houses, and started Norsemann Landscaping in Clinton. After an injury, he returned to school and earned a degree in computer science from Fitchburg State College. His last position was as an inventory analyst at Staples, where he loved working with the younger staff, joking and sharing his wry humor and life lessons.
Friends remember him for his wisdom, honesty, integrity, and good nature. Christopher loved to talk, build campfires, and stay up with the stars. He always left a friend or acquaintance with a smile or chuckle.
Christopher suffered from progressive COPD and underwent a double lung transplant in June 2023. He was hospitalized for seven months, and after soul searching and with faith, stopped treatment. Christopher was able to share love with family and friends before his death.
Christopher is survived by his sister, Eileen Brown Gorss, and her husband, Jim Gorss, of Harvard; his nieces, Anna Blais and Carolyn Gorss; and his greatniece, Aspen Blais. He also leaves his extended family, Barb, Doug, Brandon, Andy, and Talon Fogal. Christopher was predeceased by his sister, Deborah Anne (Brown) Young.
The family is grateful to the dedicated staff at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and Spaulding Hospital in Cambridge, who cared for him with compassion on his journey.
Christopher loved dogs; donations can be made in his memory to your favorite animal shelter.
A celebration of life will be planned for the spring of 2024. To leave a remembrance of Christopher, go to www.badgerfuneral.com.
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