The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan 

Peru – In June 2013, Doug Brown took part in the North Country Honor Flight to Washington D.C. Observing a Peru Gazette photo of the send-off ceremony, Doug’s niece Lori Brown Salotto commented, “Uncle Doug looks wonderful for 92.” Today she’d undoubtedly comment, “Uncle Doug looks wonderful for 102!” What’s the secret of Doug Brown’s long, active life? He says, “I’m always looking, thinking ten years ahead of things I want to do. So I keep busy all the time. That’s the only thing.” 

In many ways keeping busy has been Doug Brown’s life story. As a teenager, he worked at the family farm in Mooers. During 1944-45 he served as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Army Air Corps with service in England, Holland, Germany, and France.  In 1946, he and his father Percy opened Peru Hardware which Doug and his late wife Helen owned until 1985 when their daughter Wendy and her husband Bob Silverman took over. From 1953 to 1980, Brown worked as a Peru rural letter carrier. 

When Doug wasn’t working at the store or delivering mail, he constructed a home on River Road in Peru; during off-hours, he enjoyed boating, being at his lakeside camp, square dancing, go-cart racing, and spending time with family. Despite wearing a leg brace, golfing has been one of his favorite retirement pursuits. He’s scored two holes-in-one; the hole-in-one trophy on display in his living room is undoubtedly one of his proudest possessions. At age 99, he played golf three times. 

Today, wood carving, especially carving brightly colored birds, is his favorite hobby. Entering his spacious living room, visitors see the birds almost everywhere. Lumber, saws, and tools of every type fill the workshop in his oversized garage. He explained, “I select the wood and cut the patterns in that workshop.” Then, he continues the project in his well-organized downstairs workshop using fine carving tools, sanders, sealers, and paints. He said, “Some birds take up to four or five weeks, depending on how many projects I’ve got going. The loon is the last one I completed.”  

Doug’s activities aren’t limited to indoors. He operates his snowplow-equipped pickup truck during winter and mows his lawn during summer. He loves driving his van. Doug said, “I drive to Plattsburgh two or three times a week; yesterday, I ate lunch at Wendy’s.” During good weather, Doug drives to Champlain Valley Wood Carvers’ meetings. 

News articles repeatedly stress keeping active as a key to a long, happy life. Doug Brown’s first 102 years exemplify the wisdom of that advice. Remember his words, “I’m always looking, thinking ten years ahead of things I want to do. So I keep busy all the time. That’s the only thing.”