10 entries.
wrote on March 17, 2023
at
2:27 pm
Cy was a good friend for many years, and we miss him. As you may recall, I was his brother Chris’ roommate at law school and that’s how we met Cy. He might have been in the Air Force at the time. Driving an Alfa Romeo as I recall. We became closer when we had both moved to New York. I remember him as being an astute corporate merger investment banker, and his time at FS Smithers. And later running an investment portfolio. He was serious when called for, but he always had a twinkle in his eye when contemplating a practical joke. He had a lifelong love of music. His and Carol’s New Years Eve black tie party was an event we always looked forward to – accompanied by the famous Brown family punch. Due to the tea in the punch, anyone who took part in it may or may not have been happier, but they were certainly awake.
Our contacts were unfortunately far less frequent after we moved to Florida. You may recall visiting our house when you came down with your parents to go to Disneyworld. And then we kept in touch after his move from NY to Seattle. He was very proud of you, and talked with both pride and respect about your experiences in Africa and your studies.
Many, many good memories which will live on as long as Anne and I are fortunate enough to be on this earth.
-Charles Lichtigman
Our contacts were unfortunately far less frequent after we moved to Florida. You may recall visiting our house when you came down with your parents to go to Disneyworld. And then we kept in touch after his move from NY to Seattle. He was very proud of you, and talked with both pride and respect about your experiences in Africa and your studies.
Many, many good memories which will live on as long as Anne and I are fortunate enough to be on this earth.
-Charles Lichtigman
wrote on March 16, 2023
at
1:26 pm
Laura: THanks so much for including us in your lovely memorial to your father, Cyrus Brown. We can think of no more appropriate memorial to him than to feature Harvard and music. He was a Harvard man through and through, as you know, and he always enjoyed music: particularly singing in an acapella singing group at Harvard, and at the Church of the Heavenly Rest when he lived in New York. We met him through his brother Chris, who was Charles's roommate at Yale Law School. A long friendship formed with both brothers, and even more with your parents when we lived in New York. Their New Year's Eve parties were legendary, featuring a high octane punch laced with tea to keep everyone awake. We had so much fun with your parents exploring all the ethnic restaurants in New York. Your Dad had a marvelous sense of humor and was always good company. He was so proud of you, even telling us your test scores at school. We were honored to have known him, and deeply saddened to have lost a good friend of more than 50 years. Our sympathy to you and your family for his loss. Anne.
wrote on December 27, 2022
at
5:14 pm
Laura,
You may not remember me. I think you came once to Opelika, AL for a visit.
Your grandfather (Wallace) and my daddy (Bill or William) were classmates at Harvard back in the 1920s. As young adults they decided to take a canoeing trip on the St. Lawrence. I don’t know how long the trip was but it was probably very exciting and a bonding experience. There are pictures but I don’t know where they are. Through their adult life there were trips to Hartford and to Opelika. I was a young girl for one of the trips. I was introduced to your grandparents as Uncle Wallace and Aunt Van. Maybe that was the Southern way of doing things but I think Cy called my parents Uncle Bill and Aunt Evlyn.
On this trip it was my first meeting with Cy and his brother (Christopher?). He was probably about ten years older than I. Maybe I was 10 years old and Cy was 20 years old. He had such gentlemanly manners as did your grandparents. It was a beautiful house connected to a silo. Daddy and Uncle Wallace enjoyed each other’s company with jokes and laughter. I digress.
I don’t know at what age your grandparents died but, I think, before my Daddy did in 1967. Cy flew down for the funeral. Even at my age then, I appreciated the effort he went to in flying down. I think he was able to help my mother with some finances at that time. A long distance friendship continued off and on since then. The last we talked may have been a year ago.
He was very proud of you and your accomplishments. I was invited to your wedding (at the Harvard Club?) in New York but was unable to get there. It is a regret that I couldn’t make that happen. He was proud of the wedding and thought you were a beautiful bride. He was just as excited about the twins. While he may have been on the west coast and you on the east coast, he would keep me posted on what was going on in your life.
I know the celebration of his life will be a wonderful tribute. He was much loved.
Lucinda Samford Cannon
You may not remember me. I think you came once to Opelika, AL for a visit.
Your grandfather (Wallace) and my daddy (Bill or William) were classmates at Harvard back in the 1920s. As young adults they decided to take a canoeing trip on the St. Lawrence. I don’t know how long the trip was but it was probably very exciting and a bonding experience. There are pictures but I don’t know where they are. Through their adult life there were trips to Hartford and to Opelika. I was a young girl for one of the trips. I was introduced to your grandparents as Uncle Wallace and Aunt Van. Maybe that was the Southern way of doing things but I think Cy called my parents Uncle Bill and Aunt Evlyn.
On this trip it was my first meeting with Cy and his brother (Christopher?). He was probably about ten years older than I. Maybe I was 10 years old and Cy was 20 years old. He had such gentlemanly manners as did your grandparents. It was a beautiful house connected to a silo. Daddy and Uncle Wallace enjoyed each other’s company with jokes and laughter. I digress.
I don’t know at what age your grandparents died but, I think, before my Daddy did in 1967. Cy flew down for the funeral. Even at my age then, I appreciated the effort he went to in flying down. I think he was able to help my mother with some finances at that time. A long distance friendship continued off and on since then. The last we talked may have been a year ago.
He was very proud of you and your accomplishments. I was invited to your wedding (at the Harvard Club?) in New York but was unable to get there. It is a regret that I couldn’t make that happen. He was proud of the wedding and thought you were a beautiful bride. He was just as excited about the twins. While he may have been on the west coast and you on the east coast, he would keep me posted on what was going on in your life.
I know the celebration of his life will be a wonderful tribute. He was much loved.
Lucinda Samford Cannon
wrote on February 1, 2022
at
4:23 pm
Cyrus Brown was a huge part of my life for more than three decades. Because of him, I worked successfully, learned to ski and fly a plane, and travelled extensively. We had our daughter Laura, and enjoyed her immensely. We shared a love of music and sang in the Canterbury Choral Society. We enjoyed the life we led in New York City. I regret that circumstances did not allow us to stay together. I am grateful for the happy memories of my time with him.
wrote on January 30, 2022
at
1:23 pm
Cy (and Carol) were among my oldest friends. I loved spending New Year’s at their apartment - drinking the night away, dancing and singing to bring in the New Year. I loved times on Nantucket, and other places, and pictures from when Laura was a wee babe with all that red hair. I loved going to the Canterbury concerts. What more Can I say other than losing a very dear friend whom I loved very much
God bless, may you rest in peace and the angels are singing to you.
God bless, may you rest in peace and the angels are singing to you.
wrote on January 28, 2022
at
10:49 am
I'm a long time Canterbury Choral Society tenor, as was Cy for many years, and I still refer occasionally to the "Cy Brown Speech". Canterbury, like most amateur choral groups, struggles every year to raise funds to sustain itself. Cy was a generous donor and it irked him to see others in the group not participating. He pointed out - more than once ! - that if "you and your significant other went to a movie once a week, took a cab to get there, and bought popcorn and a soda, you would spend $X. So skip the movie and participate once a week in a Canterbury rehearsal - far more enriching than 99% of the movies out there - and give the $ to Canterbury !" The "Cy Brown speech" was right on the money.
wrote on January 28, 2022
at
10:47 am
My fondest memory of Cyrus was that of a one-on-one conversation of him. Laura and I were at his and Ruth's apartment in New York. It was right before Laura and I left before our trip to the DR Congo in 2008.
Cyrus asked me to make sure nothing happened to Laura on that trip. He wanted me to promise him that Laura was going to be okay. I remember this now, as a father myself. How much now that I understand what he felt then. The best quality of him was his love for his daughter.
Thank you Cyrus.
Cyrus asked me to make sure nothing happened to Laura on that trip. He wanted me to promise him that Laura was going to be okay. I remember this now, as a father myself. How much now that I understand what he felt then. The best quality of him was his love for his daughter.
Thank you Cyrus.
wrote on January 27, 2022
at
5:05 pm
I have a few fond memories of Cyrus. He was a man of the world and had a wide array of experiences, a quality that he shared with his beautiful daughter Laura.
I think my favorite memory was one day in New York City we had agreed to meet for lunch at an Indian restaurant. We sat down, he Laura, Ruth and myself and he noted on the menu that they had Mango Chutney. This clearly struck a chord with him because he started expounding on the merits of Mango Chutney and how he loved it, how it was made and the spices contained there in. When the food was served he requested more Mango Chutney on the side and then every time the waitstaff passed by he requested “a little more Mango Chutney” and more until finally asking them to leave the bottle. Which they did!
He seemed delighted and you couldn’t help but admire his tenacity and obvious joy in it. I still fondly remember and think about this to this day. Cyrus, you were an amazing man and I hope you have the peace you deserve.
I think my favorite memory was one day in New York City we had agreed to meet for lunch at an Indian restaurant. We sat down, he Laura, Ruth and myself and he noted on the menu that they had Mango Chutney. This clearly struck a chord with him because he started expounding on the merits of Mango Chutney and how he loved it, how it was made and the spices contained there in. When the food was served he requested more Mango Chutney on the side and then every time the waitstaff passed by he requested “a little more Mango Chutney” and more until finally asking them to leave the bottle. Which they did!
He seemed delighted and you couldn’t help but admire his tenacity and obvious joy in it. I still fondly remember and think about this to this day. Cyrus, you were an amazing man and I hope you have the peace you deserve.
wrote on January 27, 2022
at
4:05 pm
I will always remember Cyrus for his inimitable sense of humor and for the wonderful generosity he showed us on Laura’s beautiful wedding weekend at the Harvard Club. Wishing Laura and all his many friends and loved ones comfort and peace.
wrote on January 27, 2022
at
2:25 pm
I knew Cyrus as Mr. Brown, the whimsical, witty, and engaging father of my school friend, Laura. What I remember most from those years was how proud he was of Laura and that he was present for so many of the moments that mattered. At Drama Club performances and Middle School Chorus concerts, there he was. I can still picture him standing next to my father, belting out “Good King Wenceslas” at the Christmas Choral Club show. May his memory be for a blessing.
Feel free to share your memories of Cyrus