Thomas Ellsworth "Tom" BROWN, 93, of Wellsville, NY, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on October 3, 2026. Born January 25, 1933, in Lackawanna, NY, he was the son of John Nelson Brown and Lorraine Dorr Brown.

Tom attended Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo, NY, and then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a company clerk. After the war, he enrolled at St. Bonaventure University, where he met his wife, Jacqueline Amato. They married on December 28, 1957, at St. Joseph Church in Kingston, NY. He graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and earned a Master of Science in Education from St. Bonaventure University in 1970.

Tom was a taxman and teacher. He taught business subjects at Franklinville Central School and Ellicottville Central School before joining Olean High School in 1965. In 1967, he joined the faculty of Alfred State College as an assistant professor of business technologies in the accounting department, retiring in 1993 after more than 30 years in education. Many former students have shared with the family that he pushed them to reach their potential and encouraged them to become the best version of themselves.

While teaching at Alfred State College, Tom and his dear friend and colleague Jerry Wiles started a small tax service on the side. They later partnered with colleague Dennis Kelsey, and in 1979 the three formed KBW (Kelsey, Brown & Wiles), one of the first businesses in Wellsville to offer tax preparation, payroll, and bookkeeping services. The firm later became G.F. Wiles, CPA, a name well known throughout the community. Tom loved the work and stayed with it long after leaving Alfred State. After Jerry's retirement, Tom continued serving clients alongside Karen Perrigo, CPA, Attorney at Law, until retiring in his early 80s. Karen became a close friend and carried the business forward. In all, he was part of the business for nearly four decades.

Over those years, Tom prepared taxes for many small businesses and individuals in Wellsville and the surrounding area. He was respected for his skill and his honesty, and he was also a big personality who loved to tease his clients about their record-keeping. Anyone who arrived with a shoebox of receipts could expect a good-natured lecture, a laugh, and, on occasion, a few tears. Clients came to him for the accuracy and stayed for the antics.

Tom gave generously to the community he loved. He was a life member of Elks Lodge #1495 in Wellsville, where he served as treasurer for several years, and a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Wellsville Lions Club. He was also a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church. He served on the boards of the David A. Howe Public Library and Jones Memorial Hospital. He took immense pride in Wellsville and truly loved the town and its people. Tom was a familiar sight around town, often walking between home, his office, his clients' businesses, and the post office. He saw the beauty in both the town and its people, and when he spoke of it to those outside the area, he often referred to it as "Wonderland."

Tom's home was open to everyone. Family, friends, and neighbors were always welcome at his table for a meal, a drink, and good conversation, and he was happiest when the house was full of people celebrating and laughing. He took great pride in his yard work, though a green thumb was not among his gifts, and more than one bush or tree fell victim to his enthusiastic trimming. He also enjoyed refinishing furniture and tackling small projects. Whenever his son-in-law, Jim Braunscheidel, was in the middle of a job, he would arrive at day's end with a 12-pack, help clean up the work site, and admire the progress.

Above all, Tom loved his family intensely and took great pride in who they are and what they have achieved. They were at the center of everything he did. He wasn't a man for grand gestures; he showed his love by being there, in the big moments and, more than anything, in the ordinary ones. He never missed a grandchild's event and never said no to traveling when his children and grandchildren needed him.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jacqueline Amato Brown; his children, Christopher (JoAnn) Brown, Lenore (James) Braunscheidel, Peter (Marlee) Brown, and Stephanie Brown and her husband, Zachary Nowlin; 11 grandchildren, Daniel (Amy) Brown, Matthew (Maggie) Braunscheidel, Elizabeth (Liam) Welsh, Adam (Tarra) Braunscheidel, James Braunscheidel and his wife Pia Berdan, Katherine (Nicholas) Errigo, Colin (Carrie) Brown, Hailey Brown and her husband Steven Erickson, Aidan Brown, Ian Nowlin, and Elliot Nowlin; 13 great-grandchildren, with a 14th on the way; his brother, Timothy (Donna) Brown of Batavia, NY; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, John and Lorraine Brown; his brother, Jerome Brown; and Jerome's wife, Gloria, of Wilmington, NC.

Tom will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. As one of his nephews shared with the family, "Everyone needs an uncle like TE." He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Friends may call at Immaculate Conception Church, 36 Maple Ave., Wellsville, NY on Friday, November 27, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11:00 AM. A gathering to celebrate Tom’s life will follow at the Wellsville Elks Club, just the way Tom wanted. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Elks Scholarship Fund or the David A. Howe Public Library. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust & Embser Funeral Homes & Cremation, 34 West State St., Wellsville, NY. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.