Late resident Thomas Browning honored by officials
By Barb Pert Templeton
At a May 2 meeting of the Marine City Commission there was a brief presentation and unveiling of a special plaque placed on a large, framed map that now hangs on the wall of the city’s meeting chambers.
“This beautiful map was made and given to the city by Thomas Browning, this is his son and we’re so glad that you came tonight and so sorry he couldn’t be here,” Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick said.
She said Browning approached her some time ago about making something special for the city hall.
The late Thomas W. Browning who created a large map for placement at Marine City Hall.
“He wasn’t really enamored of some of the decorations here and I thought it was a wonderful idea,” Hendrick said.
Browning created the frame and then did the whole thing himself including getting the map and placing it inside the frame. Hendrick noted that he was an excellent woodworker
“The sad part is a week and a half later he passed away, so he didn’t get to see the dedication but I wanted his son to see it,” Hendrick said. “So, this beautiful thing is from Tom.”
The large new map was recently hung up in the city chambers and the plaque honoring a longtime local resident was attached
A lifelong city resident, Hendrick said she knew Browning because he was a friend of her brothers. She characterized him as a wonderful guy who would do anything for anyone, walked out in the community every day and called his woodworking skills phenomenal. Hendrick added that Browning’s father, who was a fire fighter in the city, built a beautiful ship’s wheel that hangs at the city fire department.
“So, we just wanted to hang this here and dedicate this to him for such a beautiful, beautiful gift that he gave to the city and we thank you and we’re so sorry that he couldn’t be here today,” Hendrick said, directing her comments to Browning’s son, Robert.
An obituary for Browning on the Young Community Chapel Funeral Home website states that he passed away at the age of 73 on Oct. 31, 2023.
The plaque on the new map at city hall reads: Donated by and in Memory of Thomas W. Browning.
Describing his life and work, the notice said Browning was a graduate of Holy Cross High and that he also attended Eastern Michigan University. A carpenter by trade, he worked for the Detroit Newspaper Media Partnership for 23 years and was a member of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, Local 687.
During his retirement Brown enjoyed fishing in the Saint Clair River, swimming at Cherry Beach, walking his faithful dog Winston and gardening. He also worked on many small repair and carpentry projects for loved ones and neighbors alike. He enjoyed movies, reading, theater and spending time with his family, especially his two sons who he proudly loved.
Browning was the widower of Mary (Buslepp) Browning, who died on January 18, 2016. He is survived by his son Robert of Marine City, his son Jonathan (Jacqueline) and his step-granddaughter, Samantha, all of Marlborough, MA.
