David Steven Brown

Venice, Fla. - David Steven Brown, 61, of Venice, Fla., formerly of Groton Long Point, died on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013.

David was born in Montclair, N.J., and attended Fairleigh Dickenson University, where he captained the rugby team and managed the University Pub. He owned and operated the Palmers Cove Marina in Noank for many years before moving to Florida to accept a sales manager position in the boating industry. He was a boating sales manager with various manufacturers for the rest of his life, including Hydra-Sports, Triton, Southwind and Sailfish.

David enjoyed his life in Florida, and he rode his beloved Harley Davidsons year round, and across the country. He was also a highly accomplished guitar player and performer. His love of motorcycles and guitars began in high school, continued through college, and became lifelong pleasures for him, his family and friends. David was a truly unforgettable person who enjoyed meeting and talking with people. His presence and humor lit up the room. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Linda of Venice, Fla.; his sons, Steven Brown and Kassidy Brown; his daughters, Gabrielle Taylor and Kelsey Brown; his granddaughters, Isabella Brown and Olive Brown, all of the Groton and Westerly area; and his three step-sons, Bryan, Nicholas and Wesley. He is also survived by his mother, Josephine "Joy" Berggren of Venice, Fla., formerly of Groton Long Point; his brother, Garrett E. Brown Jr. and his wife, Carolyn, of Princeton, N.J.; and his two nieces and nephew, Victoria, Rebecca, and Garrett III.

We will all miss you David, and we will honor you as you wished. You left us with a lifetime of great memories of happier times. As you said of life, "It is what it is."

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any contributions in David's memory be made to the Tidewell Hospice House of Venice, 220 Wexford Boulevard, Venice, FL 34293. 941-496-4611.

David's family is extremely grateful to the Hospice House and its dedicated, caring staff for their kind attention to him in his last few weeks.