Brown, Family Enjoy Retirement, Quality Time

The trip, planned to begin days after Friday’s fanfare at Hopkins Hill Fire Station with most of Brown’s firefighters, town council members, police and state representatives honoring his service, marks the start of what he says is his long-overdue focus on family.

For decades, Brown’s focus has been on the safety of the people in the districts he’s helped protect from harm as a firefighter and leader. For a long time, his biggest responsibility has been making sure that, at the end of the day, his firefighters go home to their families. Often, he said, he felt his own family missed out on some of his attention.  

“Now it’s going to be family time and making up for time I’ve taken away from them,” Brown said. 

Brown married Denise, his high school sweetheart, in 1981. They celebrated their 43rd anniversary in September. They have two daughters who both graduated from the Coventry school system, and four grandchildren ages 7 – 12.

When Brown married Denise he had already been a firefighter with the Hopkins Hill Fire Department for five years. He rose through the ranks to Fire Chief in 1993. In 2017, he was appointed Fire Chief of the Central Coventry Fire District, serving both fire districts.

Following Brown’s retirement, it will take three people to handle everything he was managing. 

At the Central Coventry Fire District, Assist. Chief Kevin Cady has been named acting chief. At Hopkins Hill, John Potvin, hailing from the East Providence Fire Department, will take the reins.

Coventry Police Chief Frederick Heise will name a new EMA director in Brown’s absence,  and Potvin is the new director of fire and EMS.

“Certainly throughout my career I’ve always considered myself a good multi-tasker,” Brown said when asked about the many jobs he’s performed. 

During his final days, Cady asked him if there had been anything he hadn’t accomplished that he wanted to.  

“Not to be ignorant, but I think the answer is no. I think that’s another signal to leave,” Brown said. It’s time to let someone with new ideas and new goals take the lead, he figures. 

He’s also self-aware about the balance between all his experience and the time he still wants to spend with family.

“I can’t buy time. I’m 65,” he said.

Brown had been planning for Friday for a long time. Last year, he announced he’d be retiring this March, at the same time launching his successful run for one of the Town Council’s new at-large seats in the November 2024 election. 

Still, he said, “It was bittersweet to say the least,” and also, “I had a great career. No regrets.”

Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.