Hello All,

It is with a sad heart that I share the news that Mr. Brown passed away Sunday evening. Jim was a very special person who’s love and passion for aviation was eclipsed only by his care and concern for his family, friends and community.

He was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing. Jim and Joe asked that I share the attached Obituary along with the following information:

• A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on December 16, 2016 at 4 pm at the Hunting Valley Campus of University School, 2785 SOM Center Road, Hunting Valley, OH 44022.
• The family will decline flowers but would welcome donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4550 Montgomery Ave., Suite 1100 N, Bethesda, MD 20814 or online at: www.cff.org

Jim loved Hartzell for many reasons, but primarily, he loved the people that he worked with. He has touched many of us at Hartzell and he will be greatly missed.

James W. Brown, Jr. passed on November 20, 2017 at the age of 84. Brown was a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, avid pilot, successful businessman and all-weather, carrier night landing qualified fighter pilot. Brown was born on February 11, 1933 in New Jersey. He graduated from Shaker Heights High School, attended Princeton University and graduated from M.I.T., a transfer done so he could marry his high school sweetheart, Constance Wright, who was his wife for nearly 65 years. In addition to a stint in the Navy, Brown enjoyed a successful business career, including tenure at Sohio and culminating in the business joy of his life: the ownership and leadership of Hartzell Propeller Inc., the world’s leading and oldest airplane propeller company. In between, there was some dynamite.

Brown is the beloved father of six children, six in-laws, sixteen grandchildren, six grandchildren in-law and three great grandchildren. Each has been deeply influenced by his wisdom, intelligence, kindness, humor and sense of adventure. They continue to live by two of his favorite sayings: 1) Break A Rule Every Day; and 2) Heed the 11th Commandment: Thou Shalt Go For it. In addition to raising his family and having a successful business career, Brown mentored dozens of people who benefited from his constant encouragement and keen advice.

One of his most oft uttered sayings was “I am the luckiest man in the world.” Today, his family mourns their loss, but count themselves the luckiest as they have always had his dedicated love, support and guidance.

Brown is survived by his wife, Constance W. Brown; his children and in-laws: Judith and Rick Bryan, Ginger and Stuart Van Wagenen, Kate Brown and Michael Halberstam, Peggy and Michael Crosby, Jannie and Jim Brown III and Kristen and Joe Brown; his grandchildren and in-laws: KC and Justin White, Ginny Bryan, Jessica and Liam O’Rielly, Lauren and John Harlow, Tali and Paul Van Wagenen, Max Halberstam, Anna Brown Halberstam, Kenzie and J.D. Verniero, Will Verniero, Julie and James Brown IV, Daisy Brown, Liv Brown, Katherine Brown, Elizabeth Brown, Jack Brown and Joe Brown; and his great grandchildren: Mac White, Maggie O’Rielly and Reid Harlow.