Peter Brown, president of Tiny and Sons Auto Glass in Pembroke, Mass., remembers his father James “Tiny” Brown and his interest in cars well. James “Tiny” Brown used his passion as a springboard to support children with learning differences. Years later, his son Peter helps support an event that honors his Dad and highlights the company he founded.
More Than Machines
“When we were growing up, my brother went to a special needs school,” Brown says. “Back then, the state didn’t give you any assistance. My father would do car shows at the school during the summer to raise money for tuition–not just for my brother’s tuition but for other students, too. This was back in the late 1960s. I grew up with my dad doing car shows, sitting in a chair next to him and watching people talk about cars.”
Today, Brown carries on his father’s legacy by taking part in the “Tiny” Brown Memorial Car Show. The show, which has been held for more than 10 years, is hosted by The Dull Men’s Club of Pembroke (yes, that’s their name) and sponsored by Tiny and Sons Auto Glass, the Old Colony Model T Club and Keegan Realty. Held on June 10, 2023, the most recent edition was a return to form after a several-year hiatus due to COVID-19.
“My dad’s been gone for almost 10 years,” says Brown, whose company has 18 employees. “The Dull Men’s Club was a godsend for him. It gave him an opportunity to be socially active, get involved in the town and be creative. That’s where the car show comes in.”
The Dull Men’s Club of Pembroke is a group for retired business professionals. When James “Tiny” Brown passed away, the club kept his car show going in his name. June 10’s gathering featured more than 30 cars and generated more than $1,000 for a local food pantry and the Pembroke Council on Aging.
Community First
While a car show features autos with intact windshields, Brown says community-based involvement and interaction pays dividends as an auto glass company.
“It’s a community-based business,” Brown says of Tiny and Sons Auto Glass, which was founded by his father. “My father was always a person that gave back. The community factor is important for our business. You benefit more if you’re involved and embedded in the community than if you’re just being referred. I’m an avid advocate of being involved in local sports, education, public safety and veteran’s benefits. It pays back.”
