Stuart L. Brown

Stuart L. Brown, 95, died December 21, 2024 at his residence at the Masonic Village of Elizabethtown PA. Prior to his retirement to Elizabethtown, he lived in Springfield (Delco) and Swarthmore PA.

Stuart was the son of the late William Allen Brown and Marion Darrah (Simmons) Brown. He was married to the love of his life, Barbara Fenwick Garrett for 60 ½ years until her death in 2015.

Stu is survived by his daughter, Reverend Virginia Schlegel (Gary) of Catasauqua; two sons Robert (Erin) of Howell, NJ and Scott (Diane) of Bristol, PA. He is also survived by grandchildren, Thomas, Kimberly, Christopher, and Catherine (Teddy) and Army Specialist Weslee Marshall; a brother, Tyner Brown (Penny) of Virginia Beach; and several nieces and nephews. Stu was predeceased by parents, wife, and brothers, William Jr. and John Naisby.

Stu graduated in 1947 from Swarthmore High School. After High School he joined the United States Army and served during the Korean Conflict as a medic.

Stu worked for the former Piasecki Helicopter Company, later known as Boeing-Vertol, which then became Boeing. He worked for Boeing for 42 years in Material Control.

Stu was a member of the former Masonic Lodge #779 in Springfield before transferring to the Treichler’s Lodge in Elizabethtown. He proudly served the Masons for over 50 years.

Stu believed in giving back to the community by volunteering his time with the Jaycees, the Springfield Athletic Association where he served as a coach for Boys Lacrosse and Girls Softball. He also served on the SAA Board of Directors as both member and President of the organization. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Springfield Swim Club. He was honored as Volunteer of the Year in the Springfield community.

Stu had a passion for Lacrosse that began at Swarthmore High School under the coaching and mentorship of Millard Robinson. Stu played for the Philadelphia Lacrosse Club until 1958. He also played semi-professional Box Lacrosse.

Not only did Stu believe in giving back to the community, he also gave back to the youth of Springfield when he founded the SAA’s Boys Lacrosse Program in 1970 for grades 4th through 8th, adding a grade level every year. The program began as a teaching program focusing on fundamentals, teamwork, and the history of the game. Stu’s dream was to have Boys Lacrosse become a varsity sport at Springfield High School. That dream became a reality in 1976 when the high school fielded its first team. In 1976 and 1977 the team finished third in the State, in 1978 the team were State Champions; a title they would win again in 1982, 1992, and later 2016 and 2017.

Stu was named the Lacrosse Coaches Association Man of the Year in 1980 and was inducted into the Eastern PA Chapter of the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1999. Other Hall of Fame to which he was inducted are the PA Lacrosse HOF, Springfield HS HOF, Ridley HS HOF and Delaware County Athletic HOF.

Even in retirement he continued to coach and mentor teams. He served as an assistant coach, and goalie coach at Ridley High. He was on staff during four of Ridley’s state championship runs. He also served as a volunteer goalie coach for Elizabethtown High School and Elizabethtown College from 2002-2005

Stu will be lovingly remembered as “The Father of Springfield Lacrosse.”

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11AM at John S. Sell Memorial Chapel, Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Interment will follow in the John S. Sell Memorial Chapel Columbarium. A time of fellowship will be held after the service.