"BILLY" Browne went to Belvedere College in September 1939. I met him in class for the first time - we were to remain friends for fifty-odd years. That day was a moment in history, when the war broke out in Europe. There was a Stop Press on the streets as we walked down Denmark Street. We were in the same class for the next ten years, and on the same rugby and cricket teams for all of that time.
We got to the final of Cricket Schools Leinster Cup. Billy scored 49 not out; he was not happy that no one stayed with him for his fifty. However, we won the cup.
On leaving school, Billy went to train in the printing business. After some time he joined the family firm of Monson Robinson, a long established printing Company in Talbot Street, and eventually became managing director. With his youth, energy and drive, the company business started to expand, so much that they required more space. They moved to larger premises in Townsend Street, where they stayed for about ten years. The company prospered to the extent that one of the largest American companies, Avery & Co, decided to buy them. Monson Robinson was sold, and Billy continued as managing director with the news owners.
He stayed with them for some years, but he always needed to be his own loss. He cleft Avery Monson and started another label company with some of his previous colleagues. They had a very difficult year but then slowly, with great drive, they brought the company Label Art to success. They sold out - history repeating itself. Billy again remained on as managing director, until the last few months before his death.
Billy married Eileen in the mid 1950s. They had many happy years together and had six children. Printing is in the family, as three of them are now running their own business in printing and his son John is now managing director of Label Art.
in his social life, Billy was a friend to all and most generous, but he did not suffer fools gladly; some might say he did not suffer them at all. He had a wide circle of friends, but I think Old Belvedere Rugby Club was his social mecca. He played and captained a Metropolitan Cup winning side in the mid fifties. He was a member for close on fifty years, became president for two years in 1979-80, and ultimately a trustee.
Billy had a number of difficult years health wise, but during that time I did not hear him complain once. The large crowds at his funeral gave testimony to his popularity in the business and sports worlds. We offer our sympathies to Eileen and family, sister Kathleen and family, and brother Tony and family.