The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Wesley Brownell And Family Celebrate His 90th Birthday

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by Bea Peterson
The Hoosick Falls Baptist Church hall was filled with family and friends of Wesley Brownell on Saturday, February 21. Colorful balloons and signs festooned the hall. Everyone was on hand to help Wes celebrate his 90th birthday. His son, Rensselaer County Legislator Stan Brownell, presented him with a congratulatory certificate from the County Legislature.
[private]According to his children, Wesley was born on February 22, 1923, in the family homestead in the old one room school district of Groveside. He was the fifth of six children.
He and Helen were married on November 26, 1944, in the Southwest Hoosick Church. The Church was destroyed by fire several decades ago but is remembered by a monument in the structure’s former location. The couple have three children, Stan, Carl and Gayle Magisano.

Wesley and Helen Brownell celebrated Wesley's 90th birthday with a party at the Baptist Church hall. With them are their three children and their spouses, Stan and Robin Brownell, Joe and Gayle Magisano and Carl and Lorraine Brownell. (Bea Peterson photo)
Wesley and Helen Brownell celebrated Wesley’s 90th birthday with a party at the Baptist Church hall. With them are their three children and their spouses, Stan and Robin Brownell, Joe and Gayle Magisano and Carl and Lorraine Brownell. (Bea Peterson photo)

In his early years Wesley worked for Clyde Baker, Baker’s Nursery and John and Ray Delurey. He, along with Helen’s brother Harold Kyer, were the first employees of Delurey’s Sales and Service. From 1957 to 1958 he ran a garage in Eagle Bridge. In 1958 he began working at the Hoosick Falls Central School as head bus mechanic and retired from that job in 1988. He became very good friends with past NYS bus inspectors Andy Betit and Dave Stewart. It is said they loved coming to HFCS to visit Wes as they could always count on him to have the buses in tiptop shape for their arrival. Wesley helped numerous farmers in the Hoosick area keep their tractors in running order as well.
Over the years Wes loved to cut wood for his garage. He always kept his cars in showroom condition and enjoyed working to keep his dooryard garden in pristine condition.

Wesley and Helen Brownell surrounded by their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, their spouses and partners at Wesley's 90 birthday party. (Bea Peterson photo)
Wesley and Helen Brownell surrounded by their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren, their spouses and partners, at Wesley’s 90 birthday party. (Bea Peterson photo)

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