William Brown

Native Staten Islander William F. Brown, 93, a retired New York State conservation officer, World War II veteran and family patriarch, died Monday at his home in Toms River, N.J.

Born in Prince's Bay, he moved with family to Rossville as a child. He also lived in Richmond Valley before settling in Tottenville, where he lived until 1998, when he relocated to Mount Pocono, Pa. He moved to Toms River about seven years ago.

Mr. Brown had spent winters in Florida since 1970.

He attended McKee High School and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Idaho from 1939 through 1940.

A World War II veteran, Mr. Brown served in the U.S. Coast Guard from December 1942 through January 1946. A boatswain's mate first class, he saw duty in the Philippines aboard the FS-349, an armed supply ship that gunned down enemy aircraft attacking a convoy of ships in 1944.

He first worked as a commercial fisherman and then as a toll collector for the New York State Thruway. In 1957 he was appointed a New York State conservation officer in the New York City area, and held that position until 1978, when he retired.

A philatelist since he was 12 years old, Mr. Brown continued his hobby until earlier this year, family said. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid boatsman, hunter and fisherman. He also liked bowling and NASCAR racing.

His wife of 67 years, the former Theresa Nowicki, died in 2013.

Surviving are his sons, Donald and William Jr.; his daughters, Ethel Buebendorf and Lorraine Johnsen; his brothers, Leon and Leo; five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Friday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, both Tottenville. Burial will follow in Ocean View Cemetery, Oakwood.

Services: Our Lady Help of Christian's RC Church Friday, September 25, 2015 10:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Thursday, September 24, 2015 2-4 & 7-10PM

Cemetery: Ocean View Cemetery

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Our Lady Help of Christians R.C.Church