Thomas Richard Browne

Thomas Richard Browne, 69 Lakeland""Thomas Richard Browne, 69, passed away Sunday, January 31, 2016. He was born in New York City on July 30, 1946 to Nora and Kevin Browne. He graduated from Bergen Catholic High School, Oradell, NJ in 1964. He attended Stevens Institute of Technology. He served in the US Army from 1968 to 1970 during the Vietnam War. He was awarded two purple hearts and a bronze star. Thomas moved to Florida to assume the position of CEO of Encore, a medical device reprocessing company that has evolved into a worldwide company that reprocesses thousands of devices. Thomas was an active member of St. Joseph""s Parish, Lakeland, Florida. He was president of the Catholic Singles, an Emmaus brother, a Fourth degree Knight of Columbus. He was a member of the American War Veterans and the Catholic War Veterans. He is lovingly remembered by Kathy Browne, mother of their children, Richard (Lindsey) Browne, Alyson (Robert) Higgins, and Amy (Jeremy) Stauffer. He is also survived by his fianc""e, Ellen Mullins, and his grandchildren""Julianna and Noah Browne; Robert, Joanne, Brooke, Billy, Paige, and Taylor Higgins; Corlyn, J.J., and Luke Stauffer. He is also survived by his sister Roseann (Dennis) McCarthy, his brother Dr. Kevin (Maureen) Browne, his sister Noreen McGowan and many nieces and nephews. Thomas was predeceased in death by his wife, Barbara Jean Mamula Browne. Tom loved to dance, play cards, listen to 50s and 60s rock and roll music, entertain, and visit with friends and family, especially his grandchildren. Visitation will be at 9:00 AM, February 4, 2016 with the Mass of the Resurrection following at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph""s Church, 210 W. Lemon St., Lakeland, FL 33815. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Joseph""s Academy, 310 Frank Lloyd Way, Lakeland, Florida 33801 would be gratefully appreciated. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heathfuneralchapel.com. Service: 02/04/2016 St. Joseph Catholic Church 210 W. Lemon Street, Lakeland, Florida St. Joseph Catholic Church Visitation: 02/04/2016 St. Joseph Catholic Church