Former Chief Justice, Sir George Brown, 65, who had been suffering from a medical condition since 2001, died peacefully in his sleep at his home this morning.
In early May of 2001, three years after he retired as Chief Justice, Sir George went missing in the Belama area of Belize City. He was found the following day near the Haulover Creek Bridge. The medical condition, his family said, caused him to have spells during which he became disoriented, incoherent and even lose consciousness.
Sir George, who was knighted on January 1, 1999, contributed immensely to football and sailboat racing in Belize. Up until the time of his death, he managed Brown Bombers, a football club that he formed in 1974. The club became a sort of “farm,” and it produced many players who went on to become stars in Belize.
Under Sir George’s management, Brown Bombers played games at home and abroad, and did well in the Under-15 competition that was held in Guatemala in 2003.
Sir George also managed Belize’s National Selection in the Under-20, Under-17 and Under-15 divisions.
Sir George himself was an athlete in his youth. He was the captain of St. Michael’s College football team. He was also a cricketer and track and field runner who participated in 100 yards and 220 yards races and won most of them.
From he was a child, Sir George became involved in sail boat racing. He was greatly influenced by his father, Noel “Todd” Brown (deceased), an avid sail boat racing participant who resided in Gales Point, Manatee.
Sir George’s sail boats were participants every year in the Baron Bliss Harbor Regatta races. His boats included “Dream”, “Maggie B” and “Wild Gilbert”.
Sir George became a Justice of the Supreme Court in 1984, after he left the post of Solicitor General in the Attorney General’s Ministry, which he held for 3 years.
He was appointed Chief Justice in 1991.
On April 7, 1999, after he retired, Sir George returned from retirement and served as acting Justice of the Supreme Court along with Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington.
Up until the time of his death, Sir George was a legal consultant operating at the law firm of attorney Lionel Welch.
Sir George is survived by his wife, Lady Magdalene Elizabeth Brown, and 6 children – four daughters and two sons.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been made for Sir George.