William Brown

William Louis George Brown, I, affectionately known as "Bub", age 80, of Toledo, passed away January 24, 2023 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio Toledo. William "Bill" was born April 3, 1942 in Oswego, NY to Ralph and Mildred (Mentro) Brown. Bill moved with his family to Toledo, Ohio in 1952 and graduated from Macomber High School in 1960.

He was employed with the Toledo Fire and Rescue Division (TFD) from February 3rd 1968 to February 29th 2000, retiring after 32 years. Bill worked his last 2 years with TFD with Badge #1 and proudly retired with it. Bill began and ended his TFD career at Station #24 in Point Place. Early in Bill's career, TFD advanced emergency medical care by adding advance life support ambulances staffed by Paramedics to care for patients. He was in the first class of Paramedics for Toledo Fire and graduated as a certified Paramedic in 1974. As a Paramedic, Bill primarily worked at station #6 on Life Squad #2, Station #15 on Life Squad #4. Later in Bill's career, he worked in the TFD EMS bureau from 1986 to 1996.

Additionally, Bill was involved in the training and education of health care professionals and the public. Bill worked from 1984 to 2003 at the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo, Life Support Training Center (LSTC) as an Assistant Coordinator. While at the LSTC, Bill did CPR training setup and was a BLS and ACLS instructor. Bill was also a practical instructor during the 1980's for the MCO paramedic program. Bill also worked at the Owens Community College's AHA CPR Training Center as the CPR coordinator from 2007-2010.

After a life-long career in fire and EMS, Bill was recognized for his many contributions, along with his 1974 TFD Paramedic class graduates, at the University of Toledo, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Emergency Medicine Wall of Honor, 8th annual Induction ceremony on February 5th, 2019. This award recognizes local individuals who made a difference in the field. Bill was recognized with the first paramedics as "Pioneers who defined paramedic training (firsthand) throughout the Toledo community."


Bill was a member of International Association of Firefighters, Local 92 in Toledo, Ohio, past member of the Ohio Professional Firefighters and Elks Lodge of Maumee, Ohio. Bill was involved for more than 30 years with the Ohio Professional Firefighter's annual bowling tournament which was held throughout Ohio.

Bub was a special person who loved and lived life to the fullest. He loved traveling, spending time with family and friends and watching the Tigers. He was also known to enjoy a "Chivas" manhattan from time to time as well as a round of golf. The family would like to leave you with a couple of Bub's favorite sayings: "you know what I mean Bub" and "may the good Lord take a liken to ya"


In addition to his parents, William was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 33 years, Marsha M Brown, son Michael W Brown, great-granddaughter Brooklyn M Brown, and great-grandson Grayson C Brown. Bill is survived by his children; son, Russell R (Wendy) Brown of Sylvania OH; daughter-in-law, Mary Pat Brown of Lambertville MI; daughter, Patricia M (John) Benedict of Novelty OH; son, Stephen E. Brown of Toledo OH; son, Zachary R. Brown of Toledo OH; stepson, Jon M (Kathleen) Canty of Northville MI; stepdaughter, Heather Canty of Toledo; Lindsey Brown, Whitehouse OH; and Todd VanderPol, Temperance MI; 20 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; and sister, Suzanne Helminiak of Erie MI.

The family will receive guests Friday, February 10, 2023 from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd. A last alarm in honor of Bill will begin at 6:30pm. Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 am, on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Historic Church of St. Patrick, 130 Avondale, Toledo, OH 43604.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio-Toledo and Historic St. Patrick's Catholic Church in William's memory.

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