George Dennett Brown of Wellesley passed away peacefully at home on March 13, 2026. He was the son of Ralph and Sarah (Dennett) Brown and the beloved husband of Patricia (McCarthy) Brown.
George was born on April 24, 1940 and raised in Newbury, MA. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy, Harvard College and Harvard Law School. During college George studied French and Spanish and spent a year in France. After graduation, George returned to Paris on the Harvard Exchange Fellowship. These experiences sparked a lifelong love of the French language and culture that would become a defining part of who he was. While at Harvard Law School, George won the Sears Prize and was on Law Review.
George dedicated more than 50 years to Boston College Law School, where he shaped generations of students and colleagues as a professor, scholar, and mentor. He was named the inaugural Robert Drinan, S.J., Professor of Law in 2006 and served as Interim Dean of the Law School from 2010 to 2011. Even after his retirement in 2020, George continued teaching as an adjunct, a testament to his enduring devotion to the law and to his students.
George was an internationally recognized authority in government ethics, public corruption, and federal-state relations. He published nearly 50 scholarly articles, and his work was cited more than 500 times in law review articles and court opinions, including by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. George's career also included distinguished service in the Massachusetts state government, where he served as an Assistant Attorney General under Elliot Richardson and as Legislative Assistant to Governor Frank Sargent. In 1994, Governor William Weld appointed George Chair of the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission.
Beyond his professional achievements, George was a man of deep passions and warmth. An avid fisherman, he could often be found along the rivers and ponds of New England, rod in hand, at peace in the landscape he loved. He took his family on countless adventures—summers on Cape Cod, and unforgettable trips to the Dordogne and Paris, where his perfect French opened doors and built lasting friendships wherever he went.
He was a devoted family man who enjoyed sharing his passions and favorite places with the people he loved.
In addition to his wife Patricia (McCarthy), George is survived by his son, Nathaniel Brown and his wife Caitlin (Faitoute) of Hamilton, NJ, and his daughters, Meridith Welch and her husband Mark Fine of Newton, MA. and Heather Welch and her husband Jason Murphy of Southboro, MA. George was affectionately called "Papa G" by his grandchildren: Nora and Rowan Fine, Colin, Elisabeth and Neve Murphy, Emmett and Cora Brown. Additionally George leaves behind his sister-in-law Mary Jane Lukas, brother-in-law Robert and his wife Dianne McCarthy and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Henry J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 56 Washington St, Wellesley Hills on Sunday, March 22 from 2 - 5 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Trinity Chapel, Boston College, 885 Centre Street, Newton on Monday, March 23 at 3 pm. Additionally, Boston College Law School will be hosting a Celebration of Life on April 24th. Details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George's name to Good Shepherd Community Care, 160 Wells Ave, Newton, MA 02459.