FRANKLIN: William J. Brown

William J. Brown, 83, of Franklin, MA (formerly of Natick) passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, on January 21st , 2026.

William (also known as Bill, Billy, Dad and Papi) was a beloved father, brother, grandfather and uncle whose life was defined by his devotion to family and friends, which included five children and seven grandchildren. He is survived by his son Richard and his wife Janet-Marie of Milford, his son Jeffrey and his wife Donna of Franklin, his son Jonathan of Milford, his daughter Laurie and her husband Jason Lagana of Easthampton, his daughter Stephanie of Franklin, MA, and his sister Andrea Falzone and her husband Rich of West Barnstable. He was an extraordinary grandfather to Emma, Allie, Henry, Elodie, Joey, Julia, and Jillian.

William is pre-deceased by his sister Ethel Brown Margolis of Kure Beach, NC and former wife Karen Rubin Brown.

William was born in Boston, MA to the late Dorothy and Morris Brown. He was a proud graduate of Boston Latin School, Tufts University, and Suffolk Law School. He worked at Boston English High School for over 30 years where he shaped the lives of countless students, first as a teacher and then as School Registrar. He was immensely proud of his commitment to mentoring students and helping them pursue their dreams of higher education.

William had many passions in life. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, classical music, reading, and eating Cobb salad at his favorite restaurants. Later in his life, he spent quality time at the Franklin Senior Center as part of the Supportive Day Program.

Despite the challenges of Alzheimer’s, William’s enduring spirit and the love he inspired never faded. He will be remembered for the warmth he brought to his family, the bonds he cherished, and the lasting impact of a life lived with care and compassion. William will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 27th at 11am at Schlossberg Family’s Chapel on the Hill, 824 Washington St. in Canton, MA. Burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Park at 40 Dedham St. in Sharon, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in William’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or at ALZ.org.