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PLACES

Generations grew up with 1974-2004 Board of

Directors Presidents/
F.J. Brown & Son Chairs. Dedicated
and talented member
volunteers representing
worked for the Galt Reporter upon graduating
from Galt Collegiate Institute, eventually our vibrant business
becoming an administrator with the former community over the
Galt Board of Education. In his civilian life, he years.
continued to maintain his military ties as a
member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch
#121 and built closer ties with the community as Bert Boone: 1974-1975
past Chairman of the Galt Board of Education, Bob Pettit: 1976
Galt Hydro Commission, and the former South Jon Bolt: 1977
Waterloo Memorial Hospital (now Cambridge Bert Bond: 1979
Memorial Hospital) Board. He passed away in
the summer of 1991 at the age of 81. Ted Turner: 1980
Albert also instilled that Dale Ross: 1980
notion of commitment Bob MacDonald: 1982
to community on his Murray Garlick: 1973, 1983-1984
son, Tom, who joined Doug Ridsdale: 1984-1985
Ted Brown is the fourth generation to own his
family’s downtown store. the family business in Janet Chisholm: 1985-1986
the 1970s a ter working
Community has been front and in the textile industry John Lennox: 1986-1987
centre at F.J. Brown & Son for and always maintained Bob Mitten: 1981, 1987-1989
more than 130 years. a passionate interest in Charlie Osborn: 1989-1990
Albert ‘Brownie’ Brown Galt’s downtown core. In
The Main Street shop and long-time Bob Lawton: 1990-1991
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce fact, he was known for being very welcoming to Art Mosey: 1978, 1991-1992
member, which specializes in jewelry customers and always ready to share a ‘history Gerald Martiniuk: 1992-1993
and gi tware, has seen generations of lesson’ with first-time patrons to F.J. Brown & Terry Kratz: 1993-1994
customers come through its doors since Son. He was also an avid Galt Hornets hockey
its founder Capt. Francis John Brown and fan, known for rarely missing a game, and was an Hugh Ferguson: 1994
his son, Francis James, set up shop in 1891 active member of the Rotary Club of Cambridge Marilyn Wilkinson: 1995-1996
a ter arriving in Galt. and Probus Club. He passed away in the fall of Ben Tucci: 1996-1997
2018 at the age of 82.
The younger Brown was an optician The family tradition carried Paul Beauchesne: 1997
and watchmaker, so the store not only on when current owner, Sam Purdy: 1998-1999
provided those services to customers, but Ted Brown, joined his Rosemary Smith: 1999-2000
an array of items imported from Japan. father Tom in the early Richard Hall: 2000-2002
The store expanded more into jewelry 1990s a ter graduating
in the early 1900s when James’ three from university. In 1994, he Todd Lyons: 2002-2004
younger sisters – Minnie, Emma, and completed the Graduate Paul Spencer: 2004-2006
Bertha – became managers. The family Gemologist program at the Brian Butcher: 2006-2008
link was only strengthened when James’ Gemological Institute of Helen Jowett: 2008-2010
nephew, the late Albert ‘Brownie’ Brown, Tom Brown America in California and Corey McRae: 2010-2012
joined the team in the late 1940s. has been a familiar face at the store since. Samuel (Uel) McFall: 2012-2014
Like his grandfather, Albert joined the Ken Zelazny: 2014-2015
military and served overseas during the F.J. Brown & Son has continued to offer an
Second World War with the Highland Light assortment of jewelry, watches, and accessories, Stephen Witteveen: 2015-2017
Infantry attached to the Royal Canadian as well as gi t times including home décor, Nicole Pereira: 2017-2019
Regiment where he achieved the rank as clocks, and collectibles. “We’ve experienced Darren Drouillard: 2019-2022
Major before leaving the service to join many changes over the years with increased Kristen Danson: 2022-2024
the family business. competition in the region,” says Ted, who credits Murray Smith: 2024 -
his customers for their support. “Our longevity
However, before the war, Albert had can be attributed to our loyal customers over
the years.”

24 Spring 2024 www.cambridgechamber.com