Obituary of Harry Brown

At the University of Ottawa Heart Institute on Tuesday morning, April 15th, 2014 following a lengthy courageous struggle. Harry Jack "Buster" Brown of Arnprior passed away at the age of 63 years. Beloved son of the late Harry Brown and the late Christine Allen. Cherished and most proud father of Abby. Dear brother of Brian Brown (Debbie) and Richard Brown, all of Ottawa. Former husband of Pauline McGuire. Buster was predeceased by 4 brothers: Glenn (Myrna of Kingston); Kirby (Anne of Constance Bay); Orville and Brett Brown. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Buster was a valley legend in both step dancing and violin. He made a life time career out of both performing and teaching. Buster started step dancing in Ottawa at the age of nine and was teaching at the age of twelve. When he started teaching in the Valley, he had to hire a driver because he was too young to have a license. From there, things only went up for Buster, and culminated when he captured the North American Step Dancing Champion title for not one or two, but three consecutive years. He also toured with Don Messer across Canada and on special occasions, was even flown in to Messer's Jubilee show in Halifax to perform. At sixteen he travelled across Canada and the US with Messer for 3 months performing 72 one night shows. Over the years he performed on TV and Jamborees with artists such as Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, Mel Tillis, Graham Townsend and Al Cherny in locations from Nashville to Las Vegas. In spite of the time commitments that come with performing, he kept pushing both dancing and fiddle to generations of students in the Valley and Ottawa. Buster Brown's Canadian Steppers, a hand picked group of young dancers, became famous in their own right. Many of his students carried on performing and teaching in their own adult years. Some achieving outstanding recognition on an international stage. These include April Verch as well as Jon and Nathan Pilatzke. It became his life long work, but it was also his life long love. As illness confronted him, he persisted in continuing to teach as he had started, by hiring a driver to take him to and from lessons. For his efforts in both performing and teaching, he received many awards. The icing on the cake was his induction into the Ottawa Valley Country Hall of Fame in 2003. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during visitation at the Pilon Family Funeral Home and Chapel Ltd., 50 John Street North, Arnprior on Saturday morning, April 19th from 10 a.m. until 11:45. A Service to honour the life and times of Buster Brown will be conducted in the Pilon Family Chapel on Saturday at 12 noon. Reception to follow in the Pilon Family Reception Centre. Interment Capital Memorial Gardens, Nepean. In memory of Buster, a donation to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute would be appreciated by his family.