The Jacob Keeley Brown Fund

Born April 3, 1959, Jay was the son of the late Kenneth Joseph Brown and Jane Flavelle Bradshaw. He is survived by his sisters Martha (Tim) Paulin, Andrea (Heinz) Schaerer, nieces and nephews Michael (Melanie) Paulin, Michelle (Jeff) Allan, Christopher Schaerer, Alexandra Schaerer, great nephew Aidan Allan, several cousins and his maternal aunt Anne Lagasse.

Jay is remembered as having a sharp intellect, a person who paid attention to detail no matter how small, and being dependable and helpful to all he met.

Jay grew up in the village of Renforth attending local schools until high school when he ventured to Saint John High School (SJHS). He excelled in the environment of enriched math and science courses, the music program, and the diverse cultural community which the school provided. Upon graduation, he went to UNB where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Masters of Engineering in Survey Engineering.

Jay moved to Ottawa after university to work for Natural Resources Canada, Geomatics Canada, Centre for Topographic Information. Eventually he returned to the Maritimes and for the past several years he was self-employed in the community. He also took on the role of caregiver for his aging parents which permitted them to stay in their home for most of their senior years. There was nothing Jay could not do or learn how to do, his eye for precision and strong work ethic came into play in all he did.

Jay was passionate about music. He played clarinet and piano in his youth and was in several local high school musical “pit bands”. However, it was his love of choral singing, started at SJHS, which became his true passion. Jay had the gift of perfect pitch and a beautiful tenor voice. Over the years, he enjoyed singing in many community and church choirs, but when he joined the Saint John Men’s Chorus, he found his home.

Jay had a strong spiritual belief which he expressed through his love of nature, his sense of community, helping those in need, and his Common Life Group.

The Community Foundation is honored to be entrusted with this important fund.