NATURAL GRACE

Natural grace, is a term that I apply to those who always seem to effortlessly exhibit good behavior, good manners, and are able to easily empathize with others.

John Nicholas Brown is my benchmark, against whom all others are measured. Larry Huntington, has always shown me these attributes.

It is Leon Russell, however, who is a man who may not gotten past the fourth grade as an education. Grew up poor, sometimes spearing frogs for food. Despite this background, Leon, exhibited the most wonderful manners. He was nonetheless who he was, a little rough, but shining through were exemplary values.

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.