Joseph (Joe) A. Brown Sr., 88 of Merritt Island, Florida, passed away at Cape Canaveral Hospital on May 27, 2022. Joseph was born April 21, 1934, in Washington, DC, to Andrew I. Brown and Constance (Rodante) Brown.

Joe attended the University of Florida, where he received his Bachelor of Building Construction in 1959. He held a state license as a Cost Engineer and through AACE International, he was a Certified Cost Engineer,  a certification designation now listed as Certified Cost Professional (CCP).

He was the beloved husband of Barbara (Tingen) Brown. They were married February 4, 1961.

Joe had a long extensive career as follows: A.L. Clayton Company (1958-1963) general contractor, U.S. Army Private 1 (Artillery) and transferred to U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1962-1968) Civil Engineer, BCC (Brevard Community College) Teacher, CCCI (Con$truction Co$t Con$ultant Inc.) (1960-2019) President, NASA (1968-1996) – GS 13/14 Lead Cost Engineer, USA (United Space Alliance) (1996-2005) Cost Consultant Engineer.

Joe took pride in being a Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Past Grand Knight and Past Faithful Navigator. He wrote 26 books, 20 CDs, made 6 DVDs and 2 videos.

He was a CCTS (Canaveral Council of Technical Societies) representative for 10 years, volunteered as a tax aid with VITA for 15 years, Air Force Space & Missile Museum Complex 26 volunteer docent for 5 yrs. He was a life member of the Merritt Island Moose.

Personal Attributes: Died once at age of 10 in Indianapolis from drowning and came back; saved 150 lives and 10 people personally. Devout Catholic, founding family of Divine Mercy Catholic Church and served mass from 1943-2010 including in Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica in an audience with the Pope.

AACE International Fellow Award, Silver Snoopy Award (NASA), (KSC) Federal Employee of the year 1972, Society of American Military Engineers Engineer of the year award 1973, Design Engineering Outstanding Performance Award 1988, (NASA) Commendation in 1991, and the Charles V. Keane Distinguished Service Award in 1991, CCTS Engineering Achievement Award 1998, AACE Honorary Life Member 1996, USA on the Spot Award 2002, Exceptional Service Award of USA Space Program 2005.

Joe was predeceased by his mother Constance (Rodante) Brown, father Andrew I. Brown, sister Barbara A. Browning, stepson Christopher Osia.

Joe is survived by his loving Wife Barbara Brown and his Children, Joseph A. Brown Jr., Michael L. Brown (Mary Lynne), Regina M.L. Brown-Johnson (Richard), Theresa M. Friend (Michael), Victoria M. Nutt (Brandon). Grandchildren: Derek Brown, Bari Johnson, Rachel Friend, Levi Barnett, Nicole Brown, Kyle Friend, Hunter Friend, Brandi Nutt, Joleigh Nutt, Paityn Nutt, Olivia Nutt and great grandchild: Eilonwy Brown.

He also leaves behind his sister, Mary Jane DeBee, and her husband, Jack DeBee; and nephew Mark and Jackie DeBee and great nephews.

Joe was a former president of the North Florida Section where he had been a member since 1976. AACE International awarded him the Charles V. Keane Distinguished Service award in 1991. He was an accomplished author, wrote and presented a number of technical papers for AACE. He is the only two-time winner of the “You’re a Star” award, the North Florida Section’s most prestigious honor.  

The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 10 am at the Divine Mercy Church (1940 N. Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL) with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 am. Joe will be laid to rest at Florida Memorial Gardens. Donations to Health First would be greatly appreciated. Please sign Joe’s online book of condolence at Wylie Baxley Funeral Home (www.wyliebaxleymerrittisland).