Embedded Files
Alfred arrived in San Francisco on March 23, 1949.[1] He eventually reunited with his family in Olney, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Alfred had sent items from Shanghai, and, together with his father, started selling Chinese artifacts and leather goods.[2] The business was not entirely successful. Rudolf was not well but continued to work in the business until he “had a stroke in the middle of selling a lady an alligator bag.” Alfred explained that his father “got so excited, he had a stroke.” That was the end of the business, and the end of Alfred’s time fulfilling his father’s initial desire that he work in leather goods.[3] However, there was a silver lining to the Brosan business in Pennsylvania: One day when Alfred was in the shop, Ruth Rosenthal stopped in. They began dating and were married in 1954.[4] At some point—perhaps while the leather goods business was still up and running—Alfred had a chance encounter with the owner of Quaker Export Packaging Company, and decided to take a job in the company.[5]
[1] Alfred Brosan, “A Letter to My Grandchildren,” 2.
[2] Alfred Brosan Interview, December 5, 1991.
[3] Alfred Brosan Interview, December 5, 1991.
[4] Debra Brosan Interview by Mikayla Higgins, May 12, 2020.
[5] Alfred Brosan Interview, December 5, 1991.
Alfred became a naturalized U.S. citizen on May 15, 1956.[6] He and Ruth had two daughters soon after, Geraldine and Debra, and moved to northeast Philadelphia when Debra was born. They had a three-bedroom twin rancher with a basement and a garage. Debra described it as very small, but that it had a nice bay window in the front and was decorated with many Chinese antiques and Oriental rugs.[7] About four years later, the Brosan’s last child was born, another daughter named Rebecca.
[6] Alfred Brosan naturalization paper, 1956.
[7] Debra Brosan Interview, May 12, 2020.
Debra described her childhood as an amazing one, filled with her father’s stories and adventurous spirit. The family would often go hiking and spend much of their time outdoors. They would also go out to restaurants frequently, as Alfred was always wanting to try something new. Debra also noted that Alfred had a car that he loved, a Morris Minor. In 1969, Alfred left his job at Quaker Storage and started a new adventure: being in charge of his own business, Alfa Packaging Corporation.[8]
[8] Debra Brosan Interview, May 12, 2020.
Page updated
Report abuse