Thursday, August 21, 2008

John Nicholas Brown

I started sailing with John Brown in 1962, on his Block Island 40 "Volta". It was also the year of my first New York Yacht Club cruise. "Volta" won also everything during the cruise that year, what a way to start. I continued working on the boat as a summer job until 1967; after which I continued to commission and de-commission the boat for several more years.
Mr. Brown made a strong impression on me ,as I am certain was true of anyone who came in contact with him. I did not appreciate the mark he left until I was older. He was a kind, intelligent, generous, curious man. A genuine renaissance man. He lead me along with out leading, I am certain I am a better person as a result.
Mrs. Brown was no less a personality, full of strong opinions. I like to reminisce by saying that I somehow managed to stay in her good graces, despite being a teenager.
I stayed in regular contact with both Mr. And Mrs. Brown until their deaths,and smile to myself each time I think of them.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Stephen, my name is David. I think we just bought the Volta. She's in Naples, Florida, and looking mighty fine. Just thought I'd say hey.

Unknown said...

Hi i was the fourth owner of the beautiful BI 40 built in 1959 Volta and purchased it in new Jersey in 1992 in rough shape and trucked it up to Cataumet ma where a lot of work was done. My name is Gary Pardee and live South Carolina now my phone number is 508 274 0472. What a great boat.