William E. Brown Sr., who lived for decades in the Helderberg Hilltowns, died peacefully at his Albany home on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016. He was 70.

“He was a great father and a great grandfather,” said his son, William Brown Jr. “We lived right next door to him...If we needed anything, if it was the last dime in his pocket, he’d say, get what you need.”

Mr. Brown was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey in 1946, the son of Eugene and Theodora Brown. His father died when he was a baby, said his daughter, Patricia Brown. “We moved to Berne in 1975,” she said. “He liked it because it was quiet.” Mr. Brown attended the South Berne Congregational Church.

He worked as a dental service technician. “He’d fix things like dental chairs,” said his son. “He loved his work.”

“He liked fixing things,” agreed his daughter. “When my doll broke her leg — her leg fell off — he wired it back together,” she said.

“He was a very nice guy,” she said. As a father, she went on, “He was strict. He was a dad.”

“He taught me everything in life,” said his son. “When I was younger, he taught me about the birds and the bees. And later he helped me with problems at work.”

Mr. Brown enjoyed being retired,” his son said. “He sat home; he kept to himself.”

Both of his children described Mr. Brown as generous.

His son said, “He was always there to listen.”

****

William E. Brown Sr. is survived by his daughter, Patricia Brown; his son, William Brown Jr.; his grandchildren, Breanna Breault and Tatianna Brown; his former wife, Frances Brown; his aunt and uncle in New Jersey; and a niece, two nephews, and two cousins.

His father and mother, Eugene Brown and Theodora M. Misdom, died before him as did his stepfather, Thomas H. Misdom, and his sisters, Jean Brown and Kathleen Banney.

He wished to be cremated and wanted “no fuss,” his daughter said; there are no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern New York, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer