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The South Sydney Rabbitohs are mourning former player, Ron Brown, who passed away on Sunday, 10th December, at Westmead Hospital from diabetic related illnesses, at the age of 79.

 

Mr Ronald James Brown was born at his Balmain home in 1938 and played his junior football with Chelsea United, winning the A Grade premiership in 1958, as well as being graded by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He became club secretary at Chelsea United and continued playing with Souths until 1960, playing in a total of 33 grade games, including 5 first grade games, all in the front row. His South Sydney first grade player number was 467.

Ron Brown makes the Big time.

Souths 13 were beaten by Manly 14.

Thanks to Rick Wayde from Wests Archives for the above image.

Unfortunately 5 games later….

 

In 1961, Mr Brown moved to Newcastle and played for South Newcastle Lions for three years, playing with Nat Silcock, who was their captain-coach.

Ron’s last game for South Newcastle.

 1963 was a very good year for the South Newcastle Lions.

They were runners-up of the Newcastle premiership in 1962 and premiers in 1963.

He also married his first wife there, Mary Fleming, and had two children, Catherine in 1967, and Michael in 1969. He then returned to Sydney in 1964 and played in trials with Easts, but unfortunately after two trials contracted a golden staph infection and was advised by the medical staff not to engage in any physical contact sport again.

 

Mr Brown’s passion for horses certainly manifested itself with his love of the thoroughbred racehorses and punting. This passion is carried on in his daughter, Catherine, who owns ‘Tathren Stud And Riding School’ at Glossodia, and where Ron would spend much of his time “ just sitting in the paddock and talking to the horses”. He loved breeding his own racehorses, watching them run and enjoying their retirement as valued members of his daughters riding school.

 

In 1994, Mr Brown was diagnosed as a diabetic, with a blood sugar reading of 24. Then he had a couple of heart attacks and the next ten years followed with diabetic related illnesses. These included foot ulcers (both feet), amputation of all toes on his left foot and two on his right. Then he was diagnosed with bowel and prostate cancer, which were treated with hormone implants.

 

In the last twelve months he experienced shortness of breath and his new GP gave him an electrocardiogram (ECG) and admitted him to the Cardiac Ward at Westmead Hospital on 10th November. The medication he was taking to regulate his heart function impacted on his kidney function, and the short exercise walks he took at the hospital aggravated another ulcer, one on each foot. The infection spread quickly and he required another toe to be amputated on 2nd December. Then on Tuesday, 4th December, his kidneys were on the verge of complete failure and after a family conference and the kidney specialist, Ron was told that he would no longer have any quality of life and his love of downing a can of VB or the Saturday afternoon pie would no longer be possible. He kindly thanked all the nurses and doctors at the Westmead Hospital for doing their best for him, and on Sunday afternoon, 10th December, at approx. 1pm he passed away peacefully.

 

His second wife Karen (they were married in 1996), says that Ron loved watching rugby league, and the commentary he gave from his recliner was always a ‘blast’. He was annoyed at some of the current players, who were being paid wages as long as telephone numbers, and could not hold the ball in both hands or allow the ball to do the work. He would have loved to have had a chat with Andrew Fifita, who was of a similar size to Ron, and give him a few hints – but it was not to be.

 

At Ron’s request, there will be a memorial service conducted at Hawkesbury Race Course, Clarendon, on Tuesday, 19th December, starting at 11am. A Celebrant will conduct a short service, drinks and finger food will be provided in the ‘Ted McCabe Function Centre’ until 2pm. There is a train station right on course at Clarendon, as well as parking adjacent to the Function Centre, and his daughter Catherine would love to meet some of his old mates. Mr Brown will be cremated at a later time and his ashes will be sprinkled on the course approaching the winning post.

 

 

Regards,

Michael Curin.

Below is a letter from Ron’s wife Karen.

 50th Reunion of the 1958 A Grade winning Chelsea United Team.

2008.

L-R   Max Carpenter, John Owens, Keith Phillips, Greg Edwards Ray Burns, Kim Harkins, Ray Phillips, Ron Brown, Bob Hough ,Roy Murphy and Ossie Roberts.

Ron has the last word…..

The letter below is from Karen Brown wife of Ron.

March 18^th 2018.

 

Sunday Morning Myself, Daughter Andrea and her Hubby Andrew and Heather Curtin my mate from Springwood, together with Catherine (Ronnie’s Daughter)  and her friend DEB. Were at Hawkesbury Race Course with Ronnie in Hand!!  We walked down the Straight to the repositioned Winning Post and Catherine and I sprinkled Ronnie on the Track , among the lush grass in a not very straight line probably quite appropriate!! Thus fulfilling his last Request.

The finish line at Hawkesbury Race Course.

 

With Thanks to Jeff Haynes Track Manager, and Rick Johnson, Course Caretaker.

Alan, feel free to publish this last wish of Ronnie’s in the COM Newsletter.

 

Very Kind Regards, Karen Brown. xx

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