Aubrey " Brownie" Brown Celebrates 100th Birthday

WEST CHESTER, PA — Family and friends joined Thursday to celebrate the 100-year-old birthday of Aubrey “Brownie” Brown, a World War II veteran, at the West Chester Rehabilitation and Health Center.

His granddaughter, Tamara, organized the party Thursday and a parade Monday on Strasburg Road, in which police and first responders participated.
“It was really special,” his granddaughter said. “His physical health is really good. He had a great time.”

In his free time, Brown enjoys watching sports on television.
“He loves Penn State,” his granddaughter shared.

Tamara Brown said her grandfather is really popular, noting he received over 200 birthday cards.

Among the party guests was State Rep. Chris Pielli, a West Chester Democrat. The lawmaker presented Brown with a citation of recognition for serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

Brown was born on Sept. 21, 1923, to Eva Mercer and Mahlon Brown. The youngest of five, he attended Chadds Ford Elementary School and later Henderson High School in West Chester
Upon graduation, Brown enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served as a radio operator during World War II.

After the war, he returned to West Chester and married Anna Martin, raising five children together in Thornton.
His father, who died of pneumonia at age five, inspired Brown to work at Wyeth Laboratories in West Chester, a leading manufacturer of penicillin in 1946. He worked at Wyeth Labs for 35 years, retiring as a line supervisor in the narcotics production department.
During his tenure at Wyeth, he partnered with the former Rubenstein's Office Store and the Salvation Army to provide toys for fatherless children in the community. He was also a founder and coach for the Brandywine Youth Club, for many years