Home News Local News Family, friends walk together in memory of Greenport’s beloved Michael Brown

Family, friends walk together in memory of Greenport’s beloved Michael Brown

Michael Brown needed six surgeries before he was able to walk upright. Courtesy photo: Brown family

The moment when Michael Brown walked across the stage at his Greenport High School graduation was one of the greatest of his life.

Michael, who died at 21 in 2010 in an accident involving a Suffolk County Transit bus in Northampton, while on his way to Suffolk County Community College, was born with cerebral palsy, and life posed many challenges, including the ability to walk.

2015_0523_Mike2But his indomitable spirit and infectious smile brightened countless lives, and today, those who loved him will join together at Greenport High School, the school he loved so dearly, for the Michael Brown Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser, the first-ever Miles for Mike 5K Walk/Run, to be held from noon to 5 p.m.

During past years, a fish fry was held to raise funds, said Brown’s sister Karre Brown.

“In the three years since its inception, the Michael Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund has provided an annual scholarship to two college bound students of Greenport High School. It is our hope to keep this tradition going,” Brown said.

Her brother loved being a part of Greenport School, she said. “It was his second home and he meant so much to both the community and our school. Michael never allowed his disability of cerebral palsy to defeat him, nor restrain him from walking across the stage on his graduation day.”

Michael, she said, had six surgeries before he was even able to walk upright, and walking never came easily, that’s why the walk across the stage on graduation day was such a triumph.

And today, scores will walk and run for Michael. “It was a really big thing, for him to be able to walk on his graduation day. I figured, ‘Why not walk in his memory?'” she said.

Remembering Michael, Brown said her brother was “very inspirational,” and also, very strong and very funny. “He had the ability to make anybody’s day better. I don’t know how he did it. I’d wake up in the morning, drowsy, and I’d need an hour to get it together. He was like, ‘The sun is shining,’ and he’d be playing music early in the morning, just showing up to school before the doors would even. He loved school, and the Greenport school really embraced him.”

If her brother were alive, Brown said he’d be so excited to have so many people gathered together. “We used to have big parties for him all the time when we were younger. That made him so happy.”

The Brown family, including sister Zina and their mother Denise — their father Michael has passed away — now live in Riverhead.

Memories of her brother are as close as a heartbeat. “On his 21st birthday, we rented him a party bus and we got all of his friends together and went to a club in Mount Vernon. It was so packed that I had to sit up front with the driver and Mike was texting me the entire time, saying, ‘Karre, This was awesome. I’m so happy.’ That was the best.”

Other happy memories include Mike’s three prom nights.

Her brother, Brown said, also loved his blue bike, which had three wheels. “He would ride that bike everywhere,” she said. “He would ride so fast, we’d have to tell him to slow down. It was his first vehicle, and it gave him freedom. He loved that bike.”

Studying sports management, Michael never let his disability discourage him, she said. “He had such a happy life. He never felt sorry for himself and he’d never give anyone a chance to feel sorry for him. He wouldn’t want anyone to still be mourning him now.”

Although he wasn’t able to play basketball in high school, he was in charge of the stats, Brown said. “He would go to all the games and when he was out for surgery, his teammates would videotape the games, and they’d all come over to my grandmother’s house, and the mom of someone on the team would bake for them. They’d all sit down and watch the game together. It was a big family.”

Michael’s loss impacted the entire North Fork community, Brown said. “When he passed away, it was like the president died. It was  so intense.”

Shaking hands for hours, Brown and her family said they knew Michael would want them to hug everyone, make sure everyone was okay, and so, they did. “We often think, ‘What would Michael do?'” she said.

Even today, her brother is still with her. “Sometimes I need an attitude adjustment, so I think of what my brother would do in that situation. He was so calm.”

Since his death, the North Fork has opened their arms to keep Michael’s memory alive. In October, Michael was one of the young men remembered at the dedication of the refurbished Third Street baskeball court. A tree was planted for him at the Third Street playground, basketball games have been dedicated in his honor, and a Greeport Idol was held in his memory.

“Thank you,” Brown said to the community. “I can’t even put into words how much we appreciate what everyone has done.”

The fundraisers have grown, from awarding one scholarship and one grant, to a person with special needs. Now, four scholarships and one grant will be awarded.

At the basketball court dedication last fall, Pam Swan, Brown’s grandmother, reflected on a young man who touched scores of lives. “He was a very special child,” she said. “We’re still trying to put the pieces together.” But the basketball park is something she said Brown would have loved, even though he had never been able to play the game. “His greatest desire was to play basketball,” she said.

His sister  added, “He had the best spirit in the world and inspired people. He was a fighter. He was my best friend.”

For information on how to register for today’s event, click here.

SoutholdLOCAL photos courtesy of Brown family.

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