| Donival Brown Jr.
TRENTON - Donival Brown Jr., 48, died June 5 at Capital
Health System at Mercer in Trenton, surrounded by his loving
family. Born Oct. 28, 1958 in Hahira, GA to Donival and
Geneva Brown, Mr. Brown received his education in the New
Jersey public school system. Mr. Brown lived in Paterson and
in Trenton.
He earned his undergraduate degree at Westminster Choir
College, Princeton, where he studied under Mrs. Phyllis
Lehrer and the late Mr. Harold Zabrack. Mr. Brown received
his master's degree in choral conducting at The College of
New Jersey, and had begun his doctoral studies at
Philadelphia Bible College. Mr. Brown was the Director of
Music for the Roman Catholic Parish of Our Lady of Sorrows,
Hamilton, for 15 years. He continued in this liturgical
ministry after the establishment of Our Lady of
Sorrows-Saint Anthony parish in 2005.
His commitment to the liturgy and the role the people of
God have in Catholic worship, had him working right up to
the day the Lord called him home. Mr. Brown was also active
in many other organizations that promoted Catholic worship.
Mr. Brown served as a member of the Diocesan Liturgical
Commission, for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, and
the Executive Board of the National Association of Pastoral
Musicians, Trenton Chapter. Mr. Brown was also a teacher and
a presenter of workshops in countless parishes throughout
New Jersey, where he trained cantors, organists, and
pianists in liturgical music. He assisted in the
establishment of the diocesan concert series, and served as
cantor at numerous diocesan liturgical celebrations. His
talent and personality allowed him to draw many into singing
the Mass, and into active conscious participation. Mr. Brown
established a choir for the bishop's 12:10 Masses, during
the work week, at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the
Assumption. He served as the music coordinator for the
Diocesan Celebration for Law Enforcement, several liturgies
to observe 9/1l and the celebration of Mother Theresa's
visit to Trenton. His commitment to musical excellence was
the basis of a working relationship with the Trenton
Symphony. Mr. Brown's musical talents were in high demand
for countless weddings, funerals and other special religious
events.
Mr. Brown is survived by his parents, Donival and Geneva
Brown of Adel, GA; his two sisters, Mrs. Teresa O'Cain
(Daniel), Stone Mountain, GA, and Mrs. Alisa Aponte-Wilkins
(Frank) of Trenton; two brothers, Mr. Oliver Brown (Layette)
of Hillside, and Mr. Larry Brown (April) of Philadelphia;
four uncles, Mr. Melvin Gregory, Mr. K.C. Brown (Connie),
Mr. Lewis Collins (Lilly), and Mr. Les Collins, (Lorie);
four aunts, Ms. Willie Pearl Lane, Ms. Louise Sermons, Ms.
Anita Eady, and Ms. Jura Philpot (Harold); seven nieces and
nephews; five great-nieces and nephews; also Mr. Jonathan
Brown, Ms. Donna Halstead and Ms. Wilma Jean (Sally) and two
devoted friends, Ms. Elizabeth Hartnett and Mr. David
Reiter, both of New Jersey; and a host of other family
members, friends, associates and parishioners.
Funeral services were held Tuesday in Adel, GA. A Funeral
Mass will be celebrated 7 p.m. Thursday at Our Lady of
Sorrows Church, 3816 E. State Street Extension, Hamilton. A
reception will follow the Mass in the school cafeteria.
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