Arthur Melvin Brower's Obituary
Arthur Melvin Brower passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife by his side on Monday, November 21, 2016 following some recent health challenges. He was 82 years old.Born on August 11, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York, Artie grew up on the family dairy farm, South Shore Dairy Farms, Inc. located in Lindenhurst, Long Island, New York, home of Daisie and her triplets– the first triple litter of calves born to a cow East of the Mississippi River. Artie had a great childhood with the cows, horses, goats, chickens, dogs and other farm animals. This kind of upbringing is likely what instilled his love of all living things.Artie proudly served his country as a Seabee in the United States Navy. One of his most exciting assignments was his travels to the Antarctic to set up the Base at McMurdo Sound for Operation Deep Freeze II. Following his military service, Artie moved to Fort Myers in 1957 and spent his career on the gulf waters shrimping out of Fort Myers Beach, Florida and Freeport, Texas. It was a life that he loved until his retirement in 1986 when he “Went to the Dogs” with his wife of 45 years, Elaine. Together they traveled the country showing prize winning dogs of many breeds and varieties. They also owned and operated several grooming and boarding facilities around Lee County. Artie’s love and pride shows in the puppies he produced and for the years of pleasure these dogs bring to their families.Artie is survived by his devoted wife Daphene “Elaine” (Ward) Brower; brother Ivan Brower (Mary) of Stuart, Florida; nephew James Brower of Vermont and nieces Jackie Paradisio and Bonnie Addestri of Delray Beach, Florida. He also leaves behind a number of extended family members and a multitude of friends who he has nurtured for decades and will be saddened by the sudden loss of his company. Sadly, he was preceded in death by his parents Diana (Steamer) and Aaron Brower, his son Aaron Leslie Brower and his sister Ethel Wiener.A Memorial Service for Artie will be celebrated by Rabbi Bruce Diamond at 1:00 PM on Friday, November 25, 2016 inside the Chapel at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555. Friends will be received for a half hour preceding the service beginning at 12:30 PM. At the conclusion of this ceremony, family and friends will recess to adjacent Memorial Gardens Cemetery where Artie will be laid to rest in the Serenity Mausoleum.To share a story, leave a tribute or to offer condolences to the family at this difficult time please visit Arthur’s memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign his guestbook.
What’s your fondest memory of Arthur?
What’s a lesson you learned from Arthur?
Share a story where Arthur's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Arthur you’ll never forget.
How did Arthur make you smile?