An easy, helpful manner – except on the wrestling mat!
At age 82, Ross “Roscoe” Brown retains an active working life, doing handyman work mainly.
He has experienced almost every job that exists on New Zealand farms, and although he never got round to formal training, he can build anyone a house from scratch.
One of his first constructions was for his own family home in Te Atatu, Auckland, in the early 1960’s for his new wife, Theresa. Two boys and two adopted daughters were to follow.
He met Theresa at the YMCA in Auckland after he first arrived in the city in 1958.
Wellington-born Roscoe was raised by his mother who he openly describes as ‘a horrible little Scottish woman.” The disdain he carries today was created by her treatment of him as a boy. His Mum had four children, two of which were favoured because they were good at schoolwork. Ross and another child were permanently out of favour because ‘we didn’t like school work.
“I suppose it’s just how older people thought in those days,” he said in a tone of resignation.
The highs and lows of life over time, make a shallow wave for Ross. His easy manner might even be as we expect the Kiwi bloke to always be.
He is so laid back, he confesses that Theresa proposed to him! But there was a time when he first arrived in Auckland as a teen, that the easy manner had to make way for the brutal sport of wrestling.
Ross entered Auckland YMCA intent on continuing an interest in gymnastics. But there was no place for a fit young man in his late teens .He was considered too old for the sport.
When he was offered a spot in the YMCA wrestling team, this awakened memories of well known wrestlers he had met in Wellington through his step-dad’s interest. Ross had met Lofty Blomfield, Gorgeous George and other big names that many over 50’s will also remember.
Ross excelled thanks, he believes, to his gymnastics strength work. He rose to claim a Pacific title and tour Australia.
Ross said he was gifted with a very strong neck which proved to be a big advantage on the wrestling mat.
Today, that neck protects vocal chords at a local RSA, where Roscoe turns out tuneful tributes to Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra. Tony Bennett and more of his favourite singers.
“That’s life,” as old blue eyes crooned.
