Obituary for William Michael "Mike" Brown II
COHOES William Michael Brown II, 71, entered into eternal rest Saturday, August 14, 2021, at the Stratton VA Hospital.
The first born of the late William Michael Brown I and Mary Margaret Andrews Brown arrived on September 28, 1949, at Sloops Memorial Hospital in Kansas City Missouri. Born into a family where there were so many males named “Bill”, he became known by his middle name, “Michael” or “Mike”. Shortly after his birth, his parents returned to Cohoes, New York where Mike spent his childhood in a large, happy, and sometimes loud Irish family. Mike soon gained a brother and a best friend when Danny was born 18 months later, and they began making many lifelong friends and memories.
Growing up on Bunker Hill and later Olmstead Street, he made friends with people from all over Cohoes. Playing on the Cohoes Falls, Sandy Bars and Peebles Island. An avid fan of Zorro, Daniel Boone, the Lone Ranger, various war heroes and later, Elvis Presley, Mike could often be found dressed in full costume and engaging in elaborate re-enactments of these larger-than-life celebrities. With his father Bill as the scoutmaster, he and his brother were proud Boy Scouts.
Mike proudly joined the United States Army, along with his brother in 1968. They went off to Fort Dix, New Jersey where they both completed basic training. He served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971 with the 2nd of the 7th Calvary, First Cavalry Division (Airmobile). He was the recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters and Army Commendation Medal, along with the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with two stars and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was part of more than 240 ground combat missions.
Following his years in the service he lived in the Miami Florida area, Baraboo Wisconsin, Apache Junction, Arizona before returning to Cohoes, where he resided until he retired. Mike had several careers including construction, both masonry and road construction; Coke-a-Cola; the owner operator of a salon in Cohoes, and in Security for Albany County. Mike’s engaging personality gained him many friends among his colleagues and clients. Recently returning to the area and residing with his daughter in Troy, New York.
In retirement he purchased a ranch in the mountains in Arizona where he lived out his childhood dream of ranch life. He enjoyed going to the rodeo, spending time with family and friends and reminiscing about the glory days in old Cohoes.
Mike attended Cohoes Parochial and Cohoes City Schools. He was an active member of the E.T. Ruane American Legion Post 476 in Cohoes, and the Posts in the Surprise Arizona area, along with the VFW in several locations.
In addition to his beloved parents he is predeceased by his brother Francis Brown. A proud father and grandfather, he is survived by his sons, William Michael (Amanda) Brown III and Brian (Connie) Kane of Washington, Alexander (Elizabeth) Brown of Arizona; and his daughters, Shana Marie (Aaron) McGilvray of Florida, Bridget (Paul) Brown of Troy; grandchildren, Caden, Matthew, Mary, Andrew, Landon and Natalie.
Beloved brother and best friend of Daniel T. Brown (Gail) of Clifton Park, and sisters, Kathleen Keeler of Cohoes, Margaret Brown of Florida. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mike will be buried with full military honors at Saratoga National Cemetery on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 1p.m.
The first born of the late William Michael Brown I and Mary Margaret Andrews Brown arrived on September 28, 1949, at Sloops Memorial Hospital in Kansas City Missouri. Born into a family where there were so many males named “Bill”, he became known by his middle name, “Michael” or “Mike”. Shortly after his birth, his parents returned to Cohoes, New York where Mike spent his childhood in a large, happy, and sometimes loud Irish family. Mike soon gained a brother and a best friend when Danny was born 18 months later, and they began making many lifelong friends and memories.
Growing up on Bunker Hill and later Olmstead Street, he made friends with people from all over Cohoes. Playing on the Cohoes Falls, Sandy Bars and Peebles Island. An avid fan of Zorro, Daniel Boone, the Lone Ranger, various war heroes and later, Elvis Presley, Mike could often be found dressed in full costume and engaging in elaborate re-enactments of these larger-than-life celebrities. With his father Bill as the scoutmaster, he and his brother were proud Boy Scouts.
Mike proudly joined the United States Army, along with his brother in 1968. They went off to Fort Dix, New Jersey where they both completed basic training. He served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971 with the 2nd of the 7th Calvary, First Cavalry Division (Airmobile). He was the recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters and Army Commendation Medal, along with the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with two stars and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was part of more than 240 ground combat missions.
Following his years in the service he lived in the Miami Florida area, Baraboo Wisconsin, Apache Junction, Arizona before returning to Cohoes, where he resided until he retired. Mike had several careers including construction, both masonry and road construction; Coke-a-Cola; the owner operator of a salon in Cohoes, and in Security for Albany County. Mike’s engaging personality gained him many friends among his colleagues and clients. Recently returning to the area and residing with his daughter in Troy, New York.
In retirement he purchased a ranch in the mountains in Arizona where he lived out his childhood dream of ranch life. He enjoyed going to the rodeo, spending time with family and friends and reminiscing about the glory days in old Cohoes.
Mike attended Cohoes Parochial and Cohoes City Schools. He was an active member of the E.T. Ruane American Legion Post 476 in Cohoes, and the Posts in the Surprise Arizona area, along with the VFW in several locations.
In addition to his beloved parents he is predeceased by his brother Francis Brown. A proud father and grandfather, he is survived by his sons, William Michael (Amanda) Brown III and Brian (Connie) Kane of Washington, Alexander (Elizabeth) Brown of Arizona; and his daughters, Shana Marie (Aaron) McGilvray of Florida, Bridget (Paul) Brown of Troy; grandchildren, Caden, Matthew, Mary, Andrew, Landon and Natalie.
Beloved brother and best friend of Daniel T. Brown (Gail) of Clifton Park, and sisters, Kathleen Keeler of Cohoes, Margaret Brown of Florida. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mike will be buried with full military honors at Saratoga National Cemetery on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 1p.m.