Our condolences to the Browne family and the Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire Department of Riegelwood, North Carolina. FireFighter Michael Browne, 24, a 3 year veteran volunteer with Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire & Rescue, died Thursday November 16, 2006. Michael was responding from his home to the fire station with his family for a medical call, when a tornado struck the area. Micheal was severely injured and passed away at the scene. He was found in the rubble of his mobile home with the bodies of his father, Timothy, and his stepmother, MaryAnn. His three year old daughter, Cheyenne, was found alive, nearby in a ditch, but severely injured with a fractured jaw and a collapsed lung.

     A total of eight people died, 35 homes were damaged or destroyed, and about 100 people were left homeless by the F3 tornado with winds estimated at 200 mph. Michael had aspirations of becoming a Emergency Medical Technician, and had just taken his test last week.

     Our brother Michael leaves behind his daughter, Cheyenne. A funeral for Michael will be held Wednesday November 22, 2006 2PM at Riegelwood Baptist Church in Delco. Interment will be held at a later date in Oleander Memorial Gardens. The Community Foundation of Southeastern North Carolina has established a special fund to aid residents of the Riegelwood area, who have been directly affected by the catastrophic tornado. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations for Cheyenne be made to:

The Browne Fund c/o Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire Department 100 John Riegel Road Riegelwood, NC 28546