Seanna Watson
“On December 31, 2024, a gentle heart and a brilliant mind departed from our world after a courageous battle with cancer.”
I will always remember Kevin Brown as brilliant, funny, and kind. Kevin was a fixture in the skeptic/humanist community in Ottawa, for more than 15 years. He was knowledgeable in an astonishing range of areas, fluent in several languages, and equally able to hold forth on serious discussions of history and philosophy or fun discussions of horror films, popular music, and sports. Back in 2012, Kevin was a key member of the organizing team for the CFIC Ottawa Conference, Eschaton 2012. In addition to being an MC for several of our speakers, he also took a turn as a presenter himself, speaking on the topic of Islam, Atheism, and Society.
Kevin was also one of the organizers of CFIC Ottawa’s Living Without Religion support group, and UnSermon gatherings (which later morphed into Secular Chat). He was invariably ready with a kind word, and helped many group members navigate their transition from religion to secularism. Kevin was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. On several occasions I recall him recounting that he had been laid up for a few days after having put out his back helping friends (or sometimes just acquaintances) move large objects.
When Kevin became ill with cancer a few years ago, he took it in stride, always maintaining his sense of humour. When, in an unrelated twist, his driver’s license was suspended last year due to a government clerical error, he forbore with an attitude of bemused patience, and even took the opportunity to quote Camus and Nietzsche in response.
Always the eclectic, Kevin’s allusions were as likely to come from music lyrics as philosophical treatises, and I will close with a quote that he sometimes used to end his emails:
There are things you can replace, and others you cannot;
The time has come to weigh those things,
This space is getting hot….
We’re guilty of the same old things:
Thinking a lot about passing things,
And forgetting the love we bring.
(“Althea”, Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter)
Kevin will be very much missed by all who knew him. We invite everyone with memories of Kevin to share them in the comments.
A celebration of life is being held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 11:00am to 3:00pm at the NDHQ Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess (4 Queen Elizabeth Dr., Ottawa). Smart casual attire (t-shirts or ripped jeans prohibited). Light lunch will be served and a cash bar available.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Centre for Inquiry Canada.
For over 10 years, Kevin and I shared hosting duties for CFI Ottawa’s weekly Living Without Religion (LWR) peer support group. Kevin was one of the most empathetic people you could meet, selflessly helping all who needed shepherding away from the ravages of religion. Following Sunday’s LWR hour, we moved to Secular Chat, and that is where Kevin excelled as a lecturer in philosophy, history, politics, science, and more. I would listen to Kevin awestruck, soaking in his gems of imparted wisdom. My Sundays will never be the same without my dear friend, Kevin Brown.
I didn’t know Kevin personally. Some years ago, I occasionally attended Sunday Living Without Religion gatherings and Saturday morning discussions in Kanata. Kevin made a fine contribution to the discourse with his polymathic range of knowledge and commentary on a wide range of social, political and historical issues. Such a pleasure to be around someone so well-spoken who had something of substance to say. I’ve learned more about him from previous comments and Seanna’s Farewell posting. We have lost a significant voice of reason and knowledge. Thank you Kevin, for your passion and insights.
Kevin helped me through some tough times and was always a shoulder to lean on and got my obscure Goon Show and British humour references. I Miss him dearly.