Valley Streamer marks 100th birthday

Norman Brown celebrated his 100th birthday with friends and family at the Green Acres Mall on Dec. 27.

“He was so happy,” said Maureen Piazza, who organized the event. “A 100-year-man who is not in a wheel chair and has no health issues, are you kiddin’ me?”

Piazza said she met Brown on one of her walks through the mall, during which she often stops to chat with senior citizens who socialize over coffee on the second floor. About 25 people, including Brown’s family and a group of local veterans attended the celebration.

“Everyone chipped in … It really was a nice setup,” she said. “I feel people who are 100 years old deserve some recognition.”

Brown owned and operated Brown’s Hardware on Rockaway Avenue for about 35 years with his wife Elizabeth, and has lived in Valley Stream for nearly 60 years. Brown’s daughter, Ellen, said that her father still drives and walks at the mall because he enjoys it. She also said that he’s an avid wood carver and painter — talents that she joked that she did not inherit.

Ellen said that her father enjoyed his birthday party thoroughly.

“It was lovely,” she said. “It was so nice. They really made a big deal about it, he was so happy. He was thrilled! He’s still got his balloons in the living room. Everybody made a fuss.”

According to Ellen, her father is more enamored with the technological advancements of the past 10 years than any other time in his life.