John E. “Jim” Browne ’60

JOHN E. “JIM” BROWNE, Clarendon, VT, died April 26, 2023. Born in Jersey City, NJ, Jim served in the Navy after high school from 1951 to 1955, working as a pipe fitter and playing basketball. Thanks to his athletic prowess, he was recruited to play basketball at Saint Michael’s, where he became one of the greatest guards in school history. As a sophomore, he was a member of the famous 1957–58 “Iron Knights” national finalist team. Jim scored 40 points in his final home game to secure a 99–95 win over St. Anselm in the 1958 N.E. title game. After graduating with a degree in English, Jim became a high school teacher, coach, and drivers’ education instructor and operated Browne’s Driving School for many years. Jim was a devoted and fun-loving dad to his six children and served as a father figure to many of his students and the basketball players he coached. His philosophy was, “You have to take care of people,” which he demonstrated through his community service. He was predeceased by the mother of his children, Karol Browne. He is survived by his wife and best friend of nearly 37 years, Jane Sarno; six children, including Kerry Browne ’90; a grandson; three step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and extended family.