Welles "Al" Brown

Mr. Welles "Al" Brown, age 70, of 143 Deer Run Lane, Lacey Street, Laceyville, PA, passed away at his home in Braintrim Twp., Wyoming Co., early Sunday morning, Aug. 21, 2011, surrounded by his family after a short illness.

Al was born on May 29, 1941 in Canton, PA, the son of the late Wallace and Doris Brown. After moving and residing in Clarks Summit during his childhood, he graduated from the Abington Heights High School, class of 1959. He would later attend the Keystone Junior College and Penn State extension for architectural design and drafting. Al moved to Laceyville in 1963 and on Nov. 16, 1963, he married the former Gladys Lacey.

Al had several interests in his life at which he excelled. He designed and built some of the area's finest homes, and his construction company, Al Brown Construction, was known for his high-quality craftsmanship.

Although he had not performed in several years, he was a well-known singer and musician and played for many functions, including at many clubs and wedding receptions, with several area musicians, including his son, Kris, throughout Northeast Pennsylvania, including events for former Gov. Dick Thornburgh and Congressman Joe McDade.

He was also an avid bowler and was an original member of the Voda's Garage team which won many league titles in the 1960s and '70s. His record three-game score of 729 stood for 22 years before it was broken at the Wyalusing Mountainside Lanes. He won many American Bowling Congress awards over the years.

He was a social member of the Rought Hall Post 510 American Legion in Black Walnut and the Towanda Elks Club. In 1991, he restored a 1971 Plymouth Roadrunner, to honor the last season of racing great Richard Petty. The car made appearances at Pocono Raceway, where the car was personally autographed by Mr. Petty. The car also made appearances at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 16,1992, which was Richard's last race at that speedway. The car has won multiple car show awards, and was involved at many special events and parades throughout the area over the years.

He was loved by all of his friends, neighbors, and his family, which includes his wife of 47 years, the former Gladys Lacey Brown of Laceyville, and his children, Curtis Merrick of Laceyville; Cynthia and her husband Tom Tesluk, of Kent, Wash.; Robin and her husband, Bill Pickett of Laceyville; Kris Brown, of Cornelius, N.C.; and Kurt and his wife, Karen Brown, of Lititz.

Al was also the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He was also survived by a brother, Preston and his wife, Illa Brown, of Alexandria, Va.; a sister, Bonnie Lubin, of Millis, Mass.; a brother-in-law, Richard and his wife, Marion Lacey, of Rome, Pa., a niece and several cousins.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson-in-law, Pennsylvania State Trooper Joshua Miller, who was killed in the line of duty on June 7, 2009.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Aug, 24, 2011, at 11 a.m., from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main Street, Laceyville, with the Rev. Pat Newhart, a longtime family friend, officiating.

Interment will be in the Lacey Street Cemetery, in Laceyville.

Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday evening, Aug. 23, from 6 to 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial donations in memory of Al to the Rought Hall Post 510 American Legion, State Route 6 West, Laceyville, PA 18623; or to the Wyoming County Cancer Society, State Route 6 West, Tunkhannock, PA 18657.