Ramsgate dad and grandad Doug Brown, who hit the local headlines in 2021 when he won an appeal to keep the beach-themed cladding on his home, has died aged just 66.
Dad-of-three Doug passed away on Easter Sunday following a heart attack.
Doug was born in High Wycombe. He was the eldest of three children with younger sister Hazel and brother Colin. The family moved to Leiston in 1965 and then Doug moved to London to complete his town planning qualifications at South Bank University.
He took a job in the area and met Sue through mutual friends with the pair getting married at Maldon registry office in 1980. The couple have three children, daughters Charity and Anys and son Sam.
Doug worked as a planner in Deal and Gillingham before taking on a role at Thanet council where he remained until 2010. He then became a private planning consultant and still took the odd job even after he officially retired.
The grandad-of-seven was a keen yoga fan and loved cycling and also tinkering with bikes.
Charity said: “If there was a work do Dad would always be the one to ask if you could bring partners because him and mum did everything together. They never spent a night apart except when mum had us (children).
“He was eclectic, quirky and enthusiastic. Dad loved trying different things and going to different places, having a laugh and being with friends. He just loved life.”
Doug was also a keen craftsman making clocks and lamps out of all kinds of objects.
Charity said: “I have a lamp made from a tiny propeller and he made a bike with old fashioned, steel headlights, he made so many bikes.”
Charity says Doug was also a firm family man, enjoying time with Sue and his children and grandchildren.
She said: “He loved taking the grandkids to the beach or the park or to the Petticoat Lane Emporium – you’d never know what they were going to bring home from there.
“He took the grandkids out on their bikes and rollerblades and attempted skateboarding, the same as he did with us when we were kids. He was a proper family man.”
A funeral service for Doug will be held on May 17th, 10.45am at Thanet Crematorium. Those attending are asked not to wear black. Family flowers only but donations can be made to Prostate Cancer UK and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
A wake will follow, from approximately 11,45am, at the Quex Small Barn in Birchington.
All are welcome to attend either or both the service and wake.
