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FAIRFAX — Mark Victor Brown died on Jan. 30, 2013, from complications of living.
Mark was born May 4, 1957, and was the beloved first child and only son of Donald A. Brown and Dorothy Seale Brown. He was raised in the Burlington area and graduated from Burlington High School in 1975. From his parents he learned to love the outdoors. He was a hunter and fisherman, and always chose to work outdoors whenever possible. He worked in the building trades in Vermont, Texas and Alabama. Mark returned to Vermont several years ago to be close to his family. During those years, he spent much time bird watching, learning to cook and spending time outside. Mark married Patricia Billado in 1989 and she had been by his side ever since, providing him with loving care. Pat; his parents; his two children from a previous marriage, Tabatha Soliz and her husband, Richard, as well as his son, Joseph V. Brown, survive him.
Mark’s two sisters, Faith Brown and Martha Brown and her husband, Rob Donaldson, also survive him. Through his marriage with Pat he became a beloved Papa to her children, who were by his side through his last illness and death. No greater tribute could be asked for than their love and attention to him through the years and right up to the last moments of his life. They are: Jeff Billado and his wife, Crystal, of Winooski, Julie and James Benham of St. Albans and Lori and Richard Senna of St. Albans. He also leaves his grandchildren, Jonathan Billado, Katelyn Duchaine, Joshua Billado, Amanda Billado, Jacob Billado and Mark Billado, as well as Jaime Benham.
Mark was predeceased by his cherished grandson, Tyler Billado.
Mark’s family wishes to thank Dr. Ben Parkhurst of FAHC for his kind attention during Mark’s last illness. They also wish to thank Tom LaVigne, one of Mark’s childhood friends, for all his help and support in making arrangements for a celebration of Mark’s life, to be held on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, from 5 to 6 p.m., with a tribute and memories of Mark beginning at 6 p.m., at the LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main St. in Winooski.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vermont Nature Conservancy at http://www.nature.org/ ourinitiatives/regions/ northamerica/unitedstates /vermont/index.htm; or The Nature Conservancy, 27 State Street, Suite 4, Montpelier, VT 05602; or by phone: (802) 229-4425 or fax: (802) 229-1347.
Visit burlingtonfreepress.com/obituaries to express condolences and sign the guest book.