Littleport resident and long-time local community volunteer, Francis Brown passed away suddenly on Wednesday 20th January 2021, in Addenbrookes Hospital aged 75 years.
Francis, better known as Frank, spent much of his adult life working tirelessly for and in the communities in which he lived, starting in 1964, when he joined the Cambridgeshire Constabulary as a Special Constable, continuing this volunteer role for 35 years when he retired from his post as Divisional Officer. During this time, he walked the beat in Ely, Littleport and surrounding areas, created Boat Watch, which then became part of countryside watch after his retirement, and represented the Police Force at the Cenotaph, in London, the year before his retirement, which he always considered the pinnacle of his police career.
Not wanting to fade away from public service, he joined the Parish Council in Littleport soon after, working within the community on various parish projects, of which, his final achievement before leaving the council was being instrumentally involved in securing the reduced speed limit on Branch Bank.
After this, he continued to work on the Committee of Littleport Village Hall, and provide support, knowledge, and aid to those of the community that were in need, as well as supporting his son in running the Littleport Christian Spiritualists. All of this, whilst working full time, first as a Taxi driver, a Lorry driver, then Stoker in the boiler house at the former RAF Hospital in Ely, then after a short time in Cambridge City Council, the Environment Agency until he retired at 65 years old, continuing part-time working on the Forecourt of the BP in Ely, then owned by James Graven & Sons.
Francis is survived by wife Linda, daughter Sharon and her husband Paul, son Nick and his partner Nigel, two grandchildren Tiffany and Cassandra, and great-granddaughter Grace. In the days following Francis passing, the family have been deeply touched by the outpouring of personal tributes made to Francis, not just for his public service, but for the personal touches and approach Francis used to those whom he would help and support, even outside of and of his official roles. To quote several residents of the village, ‘he was a Littleport Legend’.
His children, of course, followed him into the family tradition of service of others, with Sharon working as a Head of Care Nurse in brain injury rehabilitation, her two children Tiffany and Cassandra working as Nursery Practitioners in Childcare, and his son, a voluntary Suffragan Bishop, with the New Christian Spiritualists Society.
Francis would often be heard offering travel and other advice to those individuals whole had visited the church on a weekly basis, as well as ensuring tea, coffee and biscuits were available every Thursday night, before the Covid lockdown. In addition, he was also a very convincing stand-in for Father Christmas, with his beard not removable as many are.
Francis’ Celebration of life was conducted in Cambridge Crematorium in Tuesday 16th February 2021, by his son Nick, with readings from daughter Sharon and also Jonathan James, long time friend and police associate. Jonathan read a letter of tribute from Cambridgeshire Constabulary Chief Constable Nick Dean, and a Police escort was arranged by Ely police station, as friends and family gathered to see Francis leave the village for the last time, at the Harley Davidson memorial.
Final ‘Public Service Announcement’ Of Littleport Community Volunteer
