JOSEPH A. (JAY) BROWNE, II (MSW, PhD) December 31, 1930 - January 13, 2013. It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Jay, (January 13, 2013) a loving husband, devoted father, a faithful friend to many and a social worker interested in his community. He is survived by his love, good friend and spouse of over forty years, Gina; and their two fine sons, Joseph A. III and Dillon T., both dedicated to inquiry in their respective fields of study, music and psychology.
Jay was proud and fond of his eight nephews and three nieces, from the families of his deceased brother Dillon (Julie Norris), deceased sisters, Alice Mary (Art MCCullough) and Peggy (George Edward Nicholson). Also, he is predeceased by his oldest brother, Charles Kelsey and his youngest sister, Elizabeth Jean, who became Sister Mary Declan a Sister of Charity, Mt. St. Joseph, Ohio. She was a significant caregiver in Jay's early years.
Jay was born and raised in Ashland, Kentucky, the son of Joseph A. Browne and Alice Kelsey. He graduated from Holy Family High School, attended Notre Dame University and St. Paul Seminary, was ordained a priest and served in the ministry for thirteen years. During his ministry, he was named by the Chamber of Commerce of Maysville, KY, "Man of the year", obtained a Master of Social Work Degree, Ohio State University (1963) and was very involved in Health & Social issues; for example, was Chairman of the Kentucky's Governor's Commission for Children & Youth for five years and Director of Programs at Catholic Social Services until leaving Kentucky and the clergy ministry.
He accepted an appointment in the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences at MCMaster University in August 1969. He taught in many of the Programs of Health Sciences and was a member of the Medical School's Collating Committee for five years, which selected the medical students, being responsible for the interview teams during the admission process. He served as Director of Social Work at Chedoke Hospital and later at Chedoke/MCMaster Hospital after their merger and served in a number of the hospital's clinical programs. In September of 1985 he was asked by the Ontario Ministry of Health to Chair Ontario's Public Health Education Program to address the AIDS epidemic. He held this role as a volunteer, continuing his academic, clinical and administrative duties at the university and hospital until late 1990, when he was seconded to the Ontario Ministry of Health as Manager of the AIDS Bureau. He served in this role until his retirement in 1996. However, he remained involved in a variety of roles in the activities of the AIDS Community until his death.
He was often honoured for his AIDS work, for example, was named on the Honour Roll by the Ontario AIDS Network in 1996, their first year of establishing this award. Upon his retirement from the Ministry of Health (1996), Ontario's Public Health Laboratory for Viral Load Testing was named in his honour. The Canadian Society chose him for one of their thirty recipients of The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. The Ontario HIV/AIDS Treatment Network (OHTN) created in his name an annual award to an Ontario community agency displaying excellence in their work and made him an Honourary Member of their Board of Directors. Until he became too sick, he proudly attended their meetings and was very impressed by the innovation and excellence of their professional work and contributions.
Visitation and tributes at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, 1167 Guelph Line (one stop light north of QEW), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333), on Friday, January 18, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 287 Plains Road, East, Burlington on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. Jay was an active parishioner at Holy Rosary and received the Diocesan Medal of Honour for his parish volunteer work visiting the sick and as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, a gift to Hamilton East Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club would be appreciated (info@kboysandgirlsclub.com; 45 Ellis Ave., Hamilton, Ontario L8H 4L8, 905-549-2814). "Good night, y'all. Turn out the lights and lock the doors. Love you".
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