Stephen L. Brown, chairman emeritus of the Palm Beach Civic Association, died July 18 at his home in Osterville, Massachusetts.
He was 88.
Mr. Brown was a Palm Beach Civic Association director since 2003 and a former member of the organization’s Executive Committee who served as chairman in 2010.
Mr. Brown was born on July 7, 1937, to Eugene and Florence Brown in Providence, Rhode Island. He was a business leader, philanthropist, sports enthusiast, intellectual, husband, father, grandfather and friend.
A graduate of Middlebury College, he began his career as an actuary with John Hancock Financial Services in 1958 and rose to become chairman and CEO of the Boston-based company.
He was a former director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston; former chairman of the board of Ionics, Inc.; and life trustee of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
Gary Lickle, a Civic Association director since 1995 and former member of its Executive Committee, and a life trustee of the Kravis Center, said both organizations benefited from Mr. Brown’s philanthropic spirit and business background.
“He was a rock solid, dedicated member of the community and of the boards of the Kravis Center and the Civic Association,” Lickle said.
Mr. Brown was a former board chairman of Palm Beach Dramaworks and a longtime patron and supporter of the performing arts organization.
Brian McIver, a Civic Association director since 2010 and a member of its Executive Committee, said he knew Mr. Brown well through the Civic Association and their mutual support for The Lord’s Place and Feed the Hungry charities and Palm Beach Dramaworks.
“He was a very thoughtful leader with a serious commitment to the arts, to the needy, and the community at large,” McIver said. “He was a real philanthropist. He will be missed.”
William Hayes, producing artistic director at Palm Beach Dramaworks, said Mr. Brown’s gift of $500,000 made possible the organization’s creation of education department with a director of education and community engagement.
The department has enabled Palm Beach Dramaworks to develop and perform thematic productions on subjects of great importance to young people, including, for example, drug abuse and human trafficking.
“Through this very robust program, we have traveled to the schools and reached thousands of young people with plays about serious subjects, to influence and change lives,” Hayes said.
Mr. Brown was a former member of the Town of Palm Beach Investment Advisory Committee.
An avid golfer, he made the Golf Digest annual CEO rankings and was a member of several golf courses in Massachusetts and Florida.
At the time of his death, he was a member of the Sailfish Club of Florida, The Breakers Ocean Club, and Willowbend Country Club.
Mr. Brown was married for nearly 50 years to the late Arleen Brown.
He is survived by his children Beverly and William, their spouses Douglas Breitbart and Nicole Brown, and three grandchildren.
He is also survived by his wife, Jamie Kotlikoff Stern, and her children from a previous marriage.
A private burial service will be held on July 24. A celebration of Mr. Brown’s life will take place at a later date.
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