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Julia Borbely-Brown

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Feb 27, 2020, 10:10:38 AM2/27/20
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With great sadness I share the news of the sudden death of Paul Brown. Paul died Monday, February 24. Many of you reading this knew Paul from his years of activism at Duke (The Vigil, Allen Building, anti-war activities, draft counseling, and social justice work) and then in Durham for more than fifty years. We were married from 1969 to 1984 but continued to work on a variety of causes - in Durham, in North Carolina and in the nation. And we were so proud of our beloved children and grandchildren.

I am including below the obituary that Rachel and Arlo prepared. We will keep you posted as plans are finalized for a celebration of Paul's life on May 2, 2020. 

Please feel free to send this message to people who might not be on the Vigil or Concerned Alumni lists. Paul shared a home with Chuck Hopkins and Vaughan Glapion during his senior year, when I met him, but I do not have emails for Chuck or Vaughan. Julia Borbely-Brown '70


Paul Dean Brown  January 9, 1947 -February 24, 2020
Paul was born in Iowa and raised in New Jersey, but lived in Durham for most of his life.  He graduated from Duke University in 1969, and made his home here until his untimely death.  A graduate of the UNC School of Social Work, he devoted most of his career to working with adults with mental illness.  He was a strong advocate for their care up to and beyond his retirement from UNC Hospital in 2013.

Paul loved gardening, fishing, woodworking, house renovation projects, country music, and UNC basketball.  He was active in city- and statewide politics as a lifelong champion of progressive political causes.  He will be remembered and missed by many friends he made along the way, but most of all, by his loving family.  He was a dedicated and caring father, son, brother, and grandfather.  He is survived by his father, Horace; his sister, Elyce; his children, Arlo (Mary-Beth) and Rachel (David Barish), and four grandchildren: Béla, Sadie, Magnolia, and Elias.  His grandchildren, especially, were a source of tremendous joy and pride.

A private memorial will be held at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home.  A celebration of Paul’s life is planned for Saturday, May 2, and details about that event will be widely shared and published in the Herald-Sun closer to that date.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to TROSA, the Durham Rescue Mission, Sierra Club, or the progressive political cause of your choice.


Bertie Howard

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Feb 27, 2020, 10:50:16 AM2/27/20
to dukev...@googlegroups.com, concerned-al...@googlegroups.com, Julia Borbely-Brown
I forwarded this message to Chuck and Vaughn.

Bertie

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Bill Boyarsky

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Feb 27, 2020, 11:37:05 AM2/27/20
to ROBERT CREAMER, Julie Borbely-Brown, dukev...@googlegroups.com, Concerned Alumni of Duke University
Sad news indeed.
Thanks Julia
BB

On Thu, Feb 27, 2020 at 11:13 AM 'ROBERT CREAMER' via Concerned Alums Planning Group <concerned-al...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
So sorry too hear… thank you for letting us all know.

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Robert Creamer
Democracy Partners
crea...@aol.com
847-910-0363


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David Henderson

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Feb 27, 2020, 12:31:27 PM2/27/20
to ROBERT CREAMER, Julie Borbely-Brown, dukev...@googlegroups.com, Concerned Alumni of Duke University
My condolences. David

Sent from my iPhone

Joan Walker

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Feb 27, 2020, 1:04:24 PM2/27/20
to Julia Borbely-Brown, dukev...@googlegroups.com, concerned-al...@googlegroups.com
This is so sad to hear. Thank you for letting us know. What an incredible and incredibly grounded man he was.

On Feb 27, 2020, at 10:09 AM, 'Julia Borbely-Brown' via Concerned Alums Planning Group <concerned-al...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Henry Walker

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Feb 27, 2020, 1:27:41 PM2/27/20
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Paul used to work at Duke Hospital, helping folks out.  He said all those Type A personalities needed his Type B calmness.  His love and sureness of self is a beacon to me.  What an incredible man he was!

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Ed Harrison

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Feb 27, 2020, 2:15:09 PM2/27/20
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Paul played an important role in the course of my life, as he surely did for others, as the go-to draft counselor early in my senior year (Fall 1971, later than most of you). It was he who advised me to write to my NYC draft board to declare myself I-H, eligible for the draft, because he could see that the Jamaica NY Selective Service office was fully “selected” and that my services would not be needed. It worked, and it was the first time I know that white privilege might have played a role in my life: Jamaica was the African-American heart of Queens, and had supplied plenty of cannon fodder for Vietnam. 

I hope I get to see some of you on May 2nd.

Ed Harrison

Boyte, Harry

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Feb 27, 2020, 6:00:31 PM2/27/20
to Henry Walker, Julia Borbely-Brown, dukev...@googlegroups.com, concerned-al...@googlegroups.com
Dear Julia,

I remember Paul very well from when you, Paul, Sara and I would get together and discuss Duke, Durham, politics and the world.

Very sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family.

All the best,

Harry



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Harry C. Boyte
Senior Scholar in Public Work Philosophy
Co-Director Public Work Academy
Augsburg University
330 1453 (work), 651 280 5353 (cell)

"Democracy is a journey, not a destination," William Hastie, 1944

preferred pronouns, he, him, his

Wib

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Feb 27, 2020, 10:17:52 PM2/27/20
to Boyte, Harry, Henry Walker, Julia Borbely-Brown, dukev...@googlegroups.com, concerned-al...@googlegroups.com
Oh Julia, this is such sad news.  Paul was his own unique fixture in our Durham community, and it’s hard to think he has departed.   My love and wishes for strength and peace to you, Arlo, Rachel and the whole family.

Wib

On Feb 28, 2020, at 6:00 AM, Boyte, Harry <bo...@augsburg.edu> wrote:



Henry Walker

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Feb 29, 2020, 9:09:11 PM2/29/20
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Paul Brown was a treasure.  I write of him and the emptiness of a world without him here with us:


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Sally Bermanzohn

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Mar 1, 2020, 8:33:09 AM3/1/20
to Boyte, Harry, Henry Walker, Julia Borbely-Brown, dukev...@googlegroups.com, concerned-al...@googlegroups.com
Julia - condolences. Paul was a good man, his death a big loss. Love, Sally

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 27, 2020, at 6:00 PM, Boyte, Harry <bo...@augsburg.edu> wrote:


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osop...@aol.com

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Mar 1, 2020, 11:20:14 AM3/1/20
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Julia,
     I can still hear Paul’s rich, measured, resonant voice, speaking slowly, explaining something or other, often seasoned with gentle irony and a sly smile. Condolences to you and the kids.  
      Mark


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