Legislature to Pay Final Tribute to Radio Icon Irvin ‘Brownie’ Brown

Irvin 'Brownie' Brown appears before the V.I. Legislature at a hearing earlier this year. (Photo by Barry Leerdam for the V.I. Legislature)
Irvin ‘Brownie’ Brown appears before the V.I. Legislature at a hearing in 2018. (Photo by Barry Leerdam for the V.I. Legislature)

Virgin Islanders are still saddened by the recent passing of former iconic radio host and cultural musician Irvin “Brownie” Brown. Members of the Legislature and staff will join his family to pay tribute at 3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 18. When his body arrives, the hearse will drive through the grounds of the Capitol Building for a brief farewell ceremony, according to a press release from the Legislature of the Virgin Islands.

Brown passed away on Dec. 28 at age 83. The general public is invited to attend the tribute ceremony and to be part of this brief memorial for an outstanding Virgin Islander.

The Legislature recognized him publicly with plaque presentations and street naming ceremonies while he was still alive. Resolution No. 1829, sponsored by former Sen. Janette Millin Young, honored and commended him for over 50 years of radio broadcasting service and for his many other contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands.

Subsequently, he was celebrated again with Act No. 8060, proposed by Sen. Dwayne DeGraff, which renamed the portion of General Gade, which runs from the intersection of Veterans Drive up to the intersection of Silke Gade, “The Irvin “Brownie” Brown Sr. Street” in appreciation of his accomplishments, community service and civic mindedness.

“It is again a great honor to recognize one of our finest tradition bearers as we pay this final respect to him on the Capitol Grounds,” Sen. Jackson, chair of the Committee on Culture and Planning, said.

“I extend my sincere condolences to the loved ones and the many friends and fans of the late Irvin “Brownie” Brown,” Senate President Kenneth L. Gittens said. “Brownie was deeply committed to this community and his dedication, generosity, warmth and many talents will be long remembered. I am so pleased that the Legislature could play a brief part in the final tribute to this most beloved Virgin Islander.”