Michael Brown

Michael James Brown (Mike) was born June 13, 1954, in Buffalo, New York to the late Edward L. Brown, and Eloise C. Parker-Brown. He was the youngest of 3 children. Born into a large, loving, close-knit, and extended family (Parker/Kirkland/Brown), he enjoyed family reunions, frequent gatherings, picnics and amusement parks. His good friend, the late Malcom 'Mal' Pearson, dubbed him 'Rocky Scar' after he sustained an injury that left a jagged scar on his forehead, when they were growing up in the Perry Projects. Many of his friends and family called him Rock for the rest of his life. He attended Public School #4, Southside Jr. High School, and graduated from Father Baker High School with honors. He excelled at sports and made numerous lifelong friends. Mike was a varsity athlete at Baker playing football, basketball, and baseball. In his senior year, Mike suffered a dislocated shoulder and was not able to play football his senior year. If it hadn't been for that injury, he was very positive that he would make All Catholic Tight End with his All Catholic linemate Donald 'Bubs' Robbins. He attended LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY, with his dear friend Ken Luther and his brother Vinny Brown. An excellent student, he majored in sociology and studied business management. At LeMoyne, Mike continued his enjoyment of sports competition and played intramural football, basketball, and softball. A deep sense of compassion and a need to be of service propelled Mike's professional career working with youth at Baker Hall in Lackawanna and St. Augustine Center in Buffalo, and as a tutor and student advisor at Syracuse University. He moved to Albuquerque, NM, to work at Hogares, Inc., where he counseled troubled youth entangled in the legal system. He excelled in this work and was promoted to program director. Mike lived with his very good friend, Dr. Tommy Brennan, a fellow Dolphin from LeMoyne, who was the Associate Athletic Director at the University of New Mexico. Mike moved to Sacramento in 1990 to be closer to family. His focus on changing the lives of troubled youth continued in Sacramento where he spent the next two decades working at Martin's Achievement Place. He later retired as house manager and staff supervisor at Paradise Oaks. In 1994, he met and fell in love with Diana Styles. To this union was born one son, Zachary Tyler Styles-Brown. Mike delighted in watching his son grow into a wonderful young man, a firefighter, of whom he was always so very proud. Mike was friendly, congenial, enthusiastic, and well loved! A pleasure to be around; an all-around good guy who had a million jokes ready: good jokes, funny jokes, that only he could tell! Among his many talents was the ability to write. In seasons of grief, Mike's insightful, heartfelt tributes to loved ones were a great comfort. A die-hard Buffalo Bills fan, he frequently threatened to divorce them, but never followed through. He is survived by his son, Zachary; Diana, his life partner; sister Diane Brown-Gleen; brother Vincent Brown and his wife Annie Boynton; nephews Bryce and Alec Brown, Ian and Avery Gleen; and a host of cousins and friends. Father, brother, uncle, cousin, friend. You will truly be missed. Michael Brown's Celebration of Life will be Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Lombardo Funeral Home, Amherst. Visitation from 11:00 to Noon and Service from Noon to 1:00 PM. Interment will follow immediately after the Service at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo. To view a livestream of the service, Click here and Here