Stanley T. Browne

AUGUSTA – Stanley Browne was born Jan. 11, 1923, in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada to Ruben Browne and Bernice Morrell Browne. At the age of 7, he and the family moved to Limestone, Maine, where he grew up, graduating from Limestone High School in 1941.

In 1942, as World War II was raging in Europe, Stanley volunteered for the draft and was proudly naturalized as a U.S. citizen and joined the United States Army. He served in major campaigns in Algeria, Italy, France, and Germany as a member of the Military Police Battalion and reached the rank of second lieutenant by the end of the war. After returning home to Limestone in 1945, he found work as a potato inspector. He married Dorothy Hechler in January of 1948, and in July of 1950, along with their children, they moved to Augusta, where Stanley began a 37-year career with the Maine State Department of Agriculture. He eventually became the first Director of Animal Welfare for the state of Maine. Stanley and Dorothy raised five children in Augusta, and put all five through college, sending them off to various states to pursue their careers.

In retirement, Stanley and Dorothy enjoyed great times in Myrtle Beach, S.C. in the winters, and Bar Harbor for a month every summer. They also loved spending time on Grace Pond, fishing for trout. Stanley and his family lived on Riverside Drive in Augusta from 1950 to 2020, where he enjoyed his gardens, mowing an acre of land, and snow blowing his long driveway until he moved to Granite Hill Estates in Hallowell at the age of 97, in 2020. In November of 2025, he moved to the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta where he passed away peacefully, July 2, 2026, at the age of 103.

Stanley was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, in 2009.

He is survived by his children, Charles Browne and his partner Susan of Bridgeport, Neb., Berniece “Bunny” Browne of Augusta, Barbara Largent and her husband Mike of St. George, Utah, Robert and his wife Carol of Winslow, and Thomas and his partner Susan of Waterville. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Danielle Browne, Sarah Edmonds, Whitney Raymond, Jared Browne, and Emily Johnson; great-grandchildren, Carter Raymond and Jax and Elon Edmonds; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Dear Dad, we will miss you, your wisdom, your ambitious ways, your tremendously sharp mind and your ability to live such a long and active life. Your undying love and respect for our mother will be with us forever. You were a positive example for all of us to learn from and follow.

Private graveside services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Care, One Church St., Augusta, ME 04330.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home website, http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com/