Albert Ernest Brewster

Albert Ernest Brewster, 84, of North Kingstown passed away on September 12, 2025 at the HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence.

Known as both Al and Ernie, he was born in Providence and grew up in the Riverside neighborhood of East Providence. It was here that he started his lifelong love of the outdoors. Weekends and after school (or maybe even during his frequent school absences) would find Ernie fishing or hunting small game, as the season warranted.

Ernie attended East Providence High School, where he was a varsity member of the swim team, excelling in the 100 yard freestyle and as a member of the relay teams. At the end of his senior year, at the Letterman's Banquet, he met the love of his life, Margaret "Peg" Carroll, a member of the cheerleading squad. They attended the Senior Prom together, the beginning of an extended courtship.

After graduation, Ernie enlisted in the Navy. Tours of the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Nordic countries kept him busy. Throughout his military tenure, he and Peg corresponded and spent his leave time fishing throughout New England.

When his enlistment ended, Ernie returned to Rhode Island, where he married Peg in July of 1964. The young family soon expanded with the birth of Stephen in 1965, Kevin in 1968 and Megan in 1971.

Ernie pursued a career in the trades. After an apprenticeship, he joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He was a member of IBEW Local 99 for 38 years and his work took him to job sites throughout New England, New York, Michigan and Ohio.

When his children began their involvement in youth sports, Ernie curtailed his fishing activities. He volunteered as a Pop Warner football coach and chauffeured van loads of athletes to untold numbers of games and practices. Basketball, football, baseball, softball, dance and cheerleading and then cross country, track, soccer and sailing - if there was an event for his children or grandchildren, Ernie was there - a number one fan.

When his youngest went off to college, he picked up his fishing pole and returned to the water. With a fly rod for any condition, he plied the waters of Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Wyoming and Montana. He even fished in the shadows of the castles of Ireland on a trip he and Peg took, sponsored by their children in celebration of their 60th birthdays.

In his retirement, he fished Wood River, his long-time home turf as a member of the Wood River Fly Fishing Club. Through the Club, he passed on his expertise as a fly tyer and helped stock the river for future generations to enjoy.

In 2014, Ernie and Peg celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows at the Cathedral in Providence.

Ernie will be remembered, not just for his love of the outdoors and his dedicated fandom, but also for his razor sharp wit and distinctive vocabulary. Ernie was known to stretch the boundaries of the English language with his colorful descriptions, nicknames and novel combinations of the standard vernacular.

In addition to his wife Peg, he leaves his three children and their spouses: son Stephen and his wife Christine, son Kevin and his wife Jeanine, and daughter Megan Reitzel and her husband Christopher. He leaves eight cherished grandchildren: Jackson, Liliane, Adrienne, Angela, William, Nathaniel, Mairéad and Matthew.

He is also survived by his brother Dennis and his wife Julie, and his brother Lawrence and his partner Terry MacDougal, his uncle Edward Brewster, and cousins Charles Brewster and his wife Nancy, and Susan Mouradian and her husband Paul, his brother-in-law William Carroll and his wife Roberta, sister-in-law Rosemarie Hill, brother-in-law Charles Carroll and his wife Vickie, brother-in-law David Amaral, sister-in-law Susan Shapiro, cousin Dick Smith and a horde of beloved nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents, Albert and Mary Brewster, his in-laws William and Margaret Carroll, his sisters-in-law June Brewster and Nancy Amaral and his brothers-in-law James Carroll and Richard Hill.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 10:30 AM in St. Francis de Sales Church, 381 School St., North Kingstown. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Calling Hours will be held Wednesday from 4:00-7:00 PM in THE CRANSTON-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME of WICKFORD, 140 West Main St., North Kingstown.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation in his memory to The Town of North Kingstown, attention Recreation Department, 100 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown, RI 02852.