Nicholas K. Braun

Nicholas K. Braun, 94, of Wyomissing, PA died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 12th 2013. He was the husband of Conchita (Perez) Braun.

Born on November 4, 1918, in Bingen, Germany, he was the son of the late Carl and Anna (Haupt) Braun.

Nicholas graduated summa cum laude from Swarthmore College in 1939 and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1942. He received his M.A. in History, also from Harvard, in 1946. Nicholas Braun was the founder and president of Letisse Handbags, a business that became the second largest factory of leather goods in the U.S.A. In 1969 Letisse Inc. merged with W.R.Grace & Co.

In 1957 Braun was appointed to the Board of Directors of the former City Bank, which merged with Peoples Trust in 1960. Later it became the Bank of Pennsylvania, where Braun served on the Executive Board and several other committees.

A civic minded individual, Braun served as Chairman of the first Foreign Student Exchange Committee in Berks County at Wyomissing High School. Nicholas was elected as Vice President of the Foreign Affairs Council of Berks County and a Member of the Board of Directors of the YMCA. Braun was also a member of the United Community Services of Berks County and of Albright College Convocation Committee. Braun was Chairman of the Fine Arts Committee for the City of Reading and was the first Chairman of the Economic Opportunity Council. Victor R.H. Yarnell, Mayor of the city of Reading, proclaimed Tuesday, June 10th 1969 to be Nicholas K Braun Day. In 1966 Braun was honored with the B'nai B'rith Americanism Award and with the YMCA Youth Services Award. In 1978 Braun founded Juliette Originals, a ladies' handbags, belts and leather goods business, where he was Chairman of the Board. Juliette Originals, together with the Log Cabin and Conchita Divisions, were sold to Melbourne Mfg. Co. of St Louis Missouri, in 1995.

In addition to his wife, Nicholas Braun is also survived by a son, Peter R. Braun, husband of Merry MacBarb of Southport, NC, and four daughters: Lisa B. McGirr, wife of Michael A. McGirr of Melbourne, FL; Julia K. Braun, companion of Jeffrey L. Snyder of Mohnton, PA; Dr. Maria A. Braun, wife of Ali Radaoui of Wyomissing, PA; and Conchita M. Braun, companion of Clifford E. Reis Jr. of Reading. Braun is also survived by six grandchildren: Patrick McGirr, Jeffrey McGirr, husband of Diane Segawa, Nicholas Orth, Amanda Orth, Sara Braun Radaoui, Alexander Braun Radaoui and a great grandson: Vincent McGirr.

Funeral services will be private. Arrangements are held by Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc. Resting place will be at Charles Evans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.