01/11/11 - NNHS Newsletter

Chesley J. Browne, Jr.

YORKTOWN - Chesley James Browne Jr., 72, died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital, after a brief illness.

Mr. Browne was born Feb. 8, 1938, in Central Falls, N.C., to Thelma Mae Keesee Browne and Chesley James Browne Sr. He graduated from Asheboro High School, Wingate College, and East Carolina University, where he played football. He served in the Navy from 1960-1962 and moved to the Peninsula in 1962 and attended a master's program at the College of William and Mary.

C.J. Browne

He was employed in education, insurance and financial services. As an educator, he worked as a teacher and coach at Newport News High School. Affectionately called 'Mr. John Hancock' on the Peninsula, he was past president of the Peninsula Life Underwriters Association and remained active in the Peninsula Underwriter Training Council. He was supervisor and assistant general agent for John Hancock Life Insurance Company, CA Swanson Hornsby General Agency, Newport News, Va. For years, he was a leading agent for both Newport News and Norfolk John Hancock Agencies, and was a life and participating member of the Million Dollar Round Table - an insurance industry-wide honor. His community involvement also included being the past president of the Peninsula Sports Club, Yorktown Rotary Club, where he was an active member, and the Marlbank Recreation Association.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Mary Ann Browne; daughters, Suzanna Edens and husband, Ed of Raleigh, N.C., and Amy Teague and husband, Brian of Richmond, Va.; grandchildren, Jamie and Grace Edens, Katie and Connor Teague; sisters, Dru Hudson and husband, Charles of High Point, N.C., and Connie Browne-Edwards and husband, Marshall of High Point, N.C.; brother, Barry J. Browne of Asheboro, N.C.; and other loving nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, at Peninsula Memorial Park, with the Rev. Charles N. Moore officiating. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Jan. 16, at Crooks Memorial United Methodist Church followed by visitation and a reception.

Memorial donations may be made to Crooks Memorial United Methodist Church, 204 Cook Road, Yorktown, VA 23692; or Yorktown Rotary Foundation Education Program, P.O. Box 142, Yorktown, VA 23690-0142; or a charity of your choice.

Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in the Daily Press from January 11 to January 12, 2011. Visit Guest Book

January 11, 2011

Coach Browne was a great coach and teacher. More importantly, he was a great human being. He was an all around great guy who will be sorely missed. The world is a little empty with his passing.
Not only was I blessed to be coached by this fine gentleman, but I also had the opportunity to work with him briefly at John Hancock. I know God has a special place reserved for a man like C.J.
May peace and condolence be with his family.

~ Joe Wingo, Charlotte, North Carolina

January 11, 2011

Coach Browne was a very significant and positive influence on my life. He was instructive and enthusiastic. His sense of humor was much appreciated during what could be best described as tense times. He was a fine man who was a fine role model. He will be missed.

~ Stephen M. Smith, NNHS Class of 1966, Hampton, Virginia

January 11, 2011

My sincerest condolences to the family of "CJ". He was to me, both a beloved coach and friend. May God's blessings be with you at this time of your sorrow, and may you be consoled by the memory of a wonderful man.

~ Wayne Stokes, Tabb, Virginia

January 11, 2011

Mary Ann our thoughts and prayers are with you and family. CJ was one of a kind My finest recruit and great friend although we did not to spend a lot of time after coaching and insurance drew us apart. A truly just good man. Duffy

~ CC Duff, Crossville, Tennessee

January 11, 2011

Dear Mary Ann,
Think of the beautiful memories and loving moments you shared together with each other and your family over the years. You and CJ are blessed with two wonderful daughters and 4 darling grand-children. He was a fine husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed his family as much as anyone I know. He was a kind and gentle man. I do not know how I could have a better brother-in-law. We will miss him and know he in now in God's loving arms. Love, your brother, Doug

January 11, 2011

Mary Ann, Sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and best friend. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you all. From every one at Clippers, we are here if you need us.

January 11, 2011

Dear Mary Ann, we are deeply saddened by the news of C.J.'s passing. C.J. brought me much appreciated comraderie and mentorship during our many years together at John Hancock in Newport News and Williamsburg. Many knew that C.J. had a particular knack for being amazingly supportive during troubled times. C.J.'s love and enthusiasm for people, sports and the Virginia Cavaliers reinforced his bigger-than-life and infectious personality, which we all loved so much about him. C.J. will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his all of his students, clients, and business associates.

January 12, 2011

One of my first jobs out of High School was with CA Swanson Hornsby's agency. Mr. Browne was one of the nicest people I have ever worked with. I am sure he will be missed by his family and many friends. My sincere sympathy, Sandie Turner

~ Sandie Turner, Poquoson, Virginia

January 12, 2011

Mary Ann,
We feel privileged to be able to call CJ our friend & a fellow Rotarian. He had a truly good heart and will be sorely missed. Our prayers are with you and your family at this time. God Bless

Pat & Bill Riter

We have known CJ for many years and he was a great help to me in my Insurance career. He will be missed in this community. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

~ David & Helen Harris

Coach Browne has touched the lives and hearts of hundreds of young adults at Newport News High School, his colleagues, and was a friend of too many to mention. He was not only an educator and coach, but a mentor guiding us to the path of life. I personally saw him as a friend over the years, always ready to advise, mentally and spiritually. As a coach, I can still see him on the field in his own, with a big chew of tobacco in his jaw. He had the canny ability to get the best out of you in the classroom and on the field. Coach C.J. Browne will be greatly missed in the lives he touched. God bless his family and give comfort in their loss and in the healing of their hearts. We extend the deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the Browne family.
Larry & Redia Mclamb
Class of '68 NNHS/HHS

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and I could say " I used everything you gave me".

~ Larry & Redia McLamb, Newport News, Virginia

CJ and Mary Ann were our very good neighbors 25 years ago in Winterhaven. We appreciate them and their family and we are very sorry to learn of the death of CJ. May the love of God and the love and concern of others bring you comfort. George & Winnie Silk

Mary Ann and family,
CJ will be greatly missed. He being Perry's coach and then boss goes back many years. He was someone who was always there for guidance and understanding. I know that he is with our Father in Heaven and is watching over you and your family. Know that we have been richly blessed to know him and you. You remain in our prayers always. Love Perry & Dee

~ Dee Howard, Newport News, Virginia

Our love and prayers are with you. Now is the time to remember the good times with "Coach". Just a few years ago, I experienced a wonderful surprise when I found the coach and his lovely wife sitting behind me on a bus bound for Vermont. What a wonderful, beautiful trip. Remember? We finally saw that moose in a stream. Thank you for the memories. Jerry was not on the Vermont trip, but has memories from NNHS when he had the "Coach" in his life. He had a great respect for C.J. Brown and is grateful to have known him. God bless you all.

MaryAnn and family,
We will truly miss Uncle C.J. He was a good husband, father and grandfather. Our family enjoyed talking or watching sports with C.J. and discussing whether the Cavaliers or the Hokies were a better team. May he rest in peace. We pray that God will comfort you during this time.

~ Bob, Darlene, Robbie and Shawn Riddle, Brookeville, Maryland

Connie, Dru and Barry,
We deeply regret hearing the news of CJ's passing and will keep your entire family in our prayers. We are good friends of Connie and Marshal.

~ Ned and Claudia Eldridge, High Point, North Carolina

Connie, Dru, Barry and Family,

We are sad to hear of CJ's passing. Our love and prayers go out to the whole family.