Herbert A. Brill, 87, Plymouth Meeting Apothecary owner

By Sally A. Downey, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: August 11, 2012

Herbert A. Brill, 87, of Wyncote, who owned and operated Plymouth Meeting Apothecary for more than 30 years, died Thursday, Aug. 2, of Parkinson's disease at the Hill at Whitemarsh, a continuing-care community.

Growing up in West Philadelphia, Mr. Brill helped out in his uncle's drugstore. He graduated from John Bartram High School. During World War II, he served in the Navy in the South Pacific.

After his discharge, he earned a bachelor's degree from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, now University of the Sciences, in 1951.

A few months before graduating, he married Joyce Miller. They had met on a blind date.

Mr. Brill worked at a pharmacy at Broad Street and Olney Avenue for two years before opening Plymouth Meeting Apothecary in 1953. "He enjoyed being a pharmacist," his wife said. "People depended on him and looked up to him."

After retiring in 1985, Mr. Brill was a volunteer at Chestnut Hill Hospital for 15 years.

He was a talented gardener, an avid reader, and a fan of all kinds of music, his wife said. Though he had several health issues in his later years, she said, "he had a positive attitude and was a happy person."

In addition to his wife of 61 years, Mr. Brill is survived by daughters Karen Venus and Susan Kater; a brother; a sister; and two grandchildren.

Services were private.

Contact Sally A. Downey at 215-854-2913 or sdowney@phillynews.com.