When marking the deaths of well-known people in their communities, words such as “special, character, one-of-a-kind,” and “pillars of the community” are often used, sometimes to the point of overkill.

That cannot be said for 75-year-old Carl Brown, who died Thursday as a result of an accidental drowning at Country View Golf Club, a course he co-owned with his brother Steve.

Carl Brown was not only all of the aforementioned things to the town of Brooks, he was synonymous with Brooks.

“There’s no question he’s one of the pillars of this community. He’s part of the landscape here in town,” said 57-year-old Ray Quimby, a fellow Brooks native who has known Brown since he was a grade-school student riding on Brown’s privately-contracted school bus each weekday morning and afternoon. “If you were on his bus, you didn’t have to look for a number, you just looked for his name, Carl Brown, right on the side of the bus.”

“He was a member of the community, which is very strong and tight-knit,” added Quimby, who works out of Augusta for the state transportation department. “Golf was part of the fabric of this community as well, and we was a huge part of that course, which is certainly one of the jewels of the community.”

One of Brooks’ other “jewels” is the summer theater program at the Marsh River Theater, so it should come as no surprise the theater was another passion for Carl and wife Irene.

“They were very supportive of the theater and the booster park,” said Audrey Muir, another of those “pillars” of town and co-owner of Paul’s True Value Hardway, another one of those town “jewels.” “He had a heart of gold and couldn’t do enough for everyone.”

Paul and Audrey Muir have called the Browns friends for the last 24 years.

“We’d go out to dinner together once a month or two, but not that often the last couple years since Carl had some health issues,” Audrey said.

One of those issues landed him in the hospital as he was in the midst of organizing a tribute/roast event for the Muirs.

“Some of us got to talking about how we should do something to honor Paul and Audrey and he got really involved,” Quimby recalled. “He gets sick to the point he has to go to the hospital, and he’s more concerned about getting everything taken care of for the roast.”

That was vintage Carl.

“He’s always been very supportive,” said Muir. “We’ve had an annual Christmas tradition for 19 years where we have a horse-drawn sleigh with Santa Claus come down Route 7 to the hardware store and distribute presents. It’s a big thing with live music and cider.

“Everyone loves it, but it’s also very costly since we give away 300 to 400 presents a year. Carl always came forward to help supply gifts, support us with money, and do whatever else he could.”

Before buying back the golf course his father Ralph built (in 1963) with brother Steve in 1979, Brown ran a chainsaw shop, drove a bus for SAD 3, and built houses for a private contractor. He also served on the board of selectmen for a number of years, but it was Country View that solidified his standing with Brooks.

“He put lots of time and effort into the course to make it one of the state’s most scenic,” said Quimby, a casual golfer who says his handicap is golf.

“He was always out on the course, but working more than playing,” said Audrey Muir. “He was more a casual golfer. He played in the couples league, but I think he loved working on it more than playing on it.”

Paul Muir, also a member of the town’s volunteer fire department was among the first respond to the 911 call.

“It broke his heart,” said Audrey Muir.

As it did many hearts in the closely interwoven town.

“He was a positive and uplifting guy to be around,” Quimby said. “We’ll get through this because we’re a strong community, but it won’t be the same community without him.”

aneff@bangordailynews.net

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