Lenwood "Lenny" Basil Drown

Lenwood “Lenny” Basil Drown, 75, of St. Johnsbury Center, VT died in the afternoon, in his home, surrounded by his children and beloved dog and one of his grand-dogs, on July 25, 2025. Lenny was born on October 1, 1949 at the former, Brightlook Hospital in St. Johnsbury, VT to Ruth McCosco Drown and Winfred Drown. He spent his childhood growing up in Danville Village of Vermont with his older brother, the late Ronald Drown.
Lenny spent his childhood looking up to his big brother, Ronny, and pulling pranks on his mother, Ruth. Lenny often spoke of replacing the sugar in the sugar bowl with salt and his mother using it for her morning coffee. His favorite thing to end every story with was a smile and the statement, “Ronny did that. It was never me.”
Lenny was an avid member of the Future Farmers of America for all 4 years of high school, earning an Agriculture scholarship to pursue higher education, his senior year, in the amount of $200.
Lenny’s first job was working as a farmhand for Henry Sherry at Sherryland Farm in Danville, VT at the age of 17 in 1966. He continued to work for Henry, on and off haying, for many summers, thereafter. It became his son, Duane’s, first job too.
From there, at age 19, Lenny went to work for Howard Calkins in Danville, VT, as a construction worker. He pursued work in this field because, “I guess I wanted to be just like my big brother”. He worked for Howard Calkins construction for one year.
Lenny next worked for Olson Construction & Bridges Inc. in Montpelier, VT from age 20 to age 21. After that, he began his long tenure with the Town of St. Johnsbury Highway Department at the age of 21. When the town developed a Water Department, Lenny moved into a position working with the water department. He responded to water leaks, broken water mains, and plowed many town roads at all hours of the day and night. Lenny devoted 42 years to his work as a municipal employee, retiring in 2012.
Throughout his time working for the Town of St. Johnsbury, Lenny became and remained involved in AFSCAME Council 93, the town municipal employee labor union, for 30 years, acting as the president of the council until he retired.
In 1973, he married Alana Clifford and in 1974, their son Duane Drown was born. They lived in Green Lantern Trailer Park in St. Johnsbury, before moving their trailer to property they purchased in East St. Johnsbury on Chesterfield Hollow Road. They divorced in 1986.
In 1986, Lenny married Brenda (Bonett) Dunbar and they lived in East St. Johnsbury together, building a house on Chesterfield Hollow Road. In 1990, they had a daughter, Danielle Drown, together. They later divorced in 1994.
In 1997, Lenny married Joan Sizen. They lived in St. Johnsbury, before later purchasing a home in St. Johnsbury Center in 2003. They lived there together until Joan’s death in October 2015. Lenny continued to live there, after her passing, until his own.
At the time of his retirement, Lenny developed his love of lawn care into the small business of Lenny’s Lawn Care. This became a family-involved business and his grandson became his partner in mowing. He later changed the name to Lenny & Brandon’s Lawn Care.
Lenny was a Free Mason, of the Danville Masonic Lodge, since 1970, and enlisted in the Army National Guard from 1969 until 1973.
Lenny was a friend to everyone he met. He was at ease with creating family out of neighbors and friends. He was a lifelong lover of animals, always having a large animal, dog, or cat throughout his life, up until the day he died. He also had a strong following of grand-puppies.
Lenny was selfless, beyond all else. He cared not what he had to sacrifice to help someone in need and disregarded their relationship. He would drop anything, at any time, to help. He could do anything; he could fix anything: object or emotion. He was our family’s safety net; for his children and grandchildren, alike.
Lenny’s family would like to thank the support given by Caledonia Home Health & Hospice, during Lenny’s multiple fights with cancer, along with the many friends and family members who stepped in to aid Duane and Dani with his care, in the last weeks of his life.
Lenny is predeceased by his parents, Winfred and Ruth Drown and his brother, Ronald Drown. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Patricia Drown of Concord, Vt. His son, Duane (Heather McElroy) Drown of Island Pond, Vt. His daughter, Danielle (Brandon Foster) Drown of Newbury, Vt. Joan’s two children: Georgia (Garth) Greenwood and Tammi (Dwight) Stahler. His grandchildren: Brandon (Kyleigh) Drown, Rylee Drown, Alaura Foster, Andrew Foster, and Annalyse Foster; along with many nieces and nephews.
In leu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following organizations/projects that meant so much to Lenny: The Clara Martin Center Holiday Basket Project, which was developed by his daughter and he actively supported, driving all over to collect food and donations. The Caledonia Home Health & Hospice, for their care and support of Lenny throughout his multiple life health events and end-of-life care.
A graveside service for family and invited close family friends will be held on August 23, 2025 at the Danville Green Cemetery in Danville, VT. Followed by this will be a celebratory luncheon from 1-3pm at the Danville Methodist Church, open to all to come and share their memories of Lenny.