Paul Walter Brown

Jan. 10, 1932 - Dec. 28, 2025

Paul W. Brown, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully many years after a stroke.

Paul was born at home in the Wissinoming section of Philadelphia to Esther and Elmer Brown, the youngest of three children. After graduating from Frankford High School, he joined the Navy, and then went to Penn State on the GI Bill. He met Anna Marie Fad when they both worked in the Atlantic Building on Broad Street in Center City. After their marriage in 1957, they moved to State College, PA, while Paul was in graduate school. They settled in Newark, Delaware, with their three children. Paul spent most of his career as an economist at Hercules, and retired from Himont in 1997.

He and Anna Marie traveled often before and after retirement, seeing much of the U.S., Europe, and many Caribbean Islands. They were happiest, though, at their house in South Bethany Beach.

The proverb "When an old man dies, a library burns down" is apt. Paul was a voracious reader and lifelong learner with deep knowledge about many topics - history, music, politics, literature, sports, and much more. A tireless supporter of his grandchildren, he attended every game, play, graduation, or celebration, always with his camera at the ready to capture happy memories.

Anna Marie predeceased Paul in 2020. He is survived by his children, Donna Brown; Doug Brown (Debbie); Lora Nichols (Bret); grandchildren, Julia Lancaster (Matt, and their children James and Mara); Val Nichols; Andie Nichols (Vince Roble); and Tim Brown (Lauren, and their daughter Lily). Also survived by sisters-in-law Helena Nelson Brown, Karen Maskas (Jim), Cathy Fad, Karen Fad, and Kathy Tucholski; brothers-in-law Bob Fad and Bruce Fad (Susan); and many loving nieces and nephews. His parents; his brother, Elmer; his sister, Rosina; and brothers-in-law Otto, Richard, and Art Fad predeceased him.

Services and interment in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery will be private, per his wishes. Paul was a regular contributor to many charities and good causes. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for contributions in his memory to the Food Bank of Delaware (https://www.fbd.org/onlinedonations ) or Faithful Friends ( https://faithfulfriends.us/donate/donate-in-memory-honor ).