Alvin A. Brownell Jr.

Alvin A. Brownell, Jr.

EASTON - Alvin A. Brownell, Jr., 86, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in the comfort of his Easton home, where he was cared for by his loving wife and children. Al was born in 1939 and grew up in Vly Summit being the oldest son in a family of seven born to Alvin A. Brownell, Sr. and Marietta (Hendrick) Brownell.

Al was educated in the West Cambridge one-room school and Cambridge Central. At 17 years old, he joined the US Army serving two years of active duty reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant and spending time in Germany and California. Active duty was followed by four years of reserve duty.

Al entered the construction trade working for Lew Collins Construction of Greenwich, N.Y. In 1963, he married Leona Scott, and they built their home in Easton. In 1964, Al joined Ironworkers Local 12 and worked as an ironworker for 30 years. For most of those years, he served as a superintendent for Unit Span Building Systems, Albany, N.Y. erecting Armco steel buildings. Following his retirement from ironworking, he drove a low-boy tractor trailer for Gorman Brothers Paving for 10 years. In addition to their daytime jobs, Al and Leona, assisted by Al's brothers and friends and later by their children, owned and operated Brownell's Snowmobiles at their home in Easton. From 1969 to 2006, they sold and serviced SnoJet, Kawasaki and Yamaha snowmobiles. Al and the family enjoyed the business meeting many wonderful customers who became friends.

During his lifetime, Al loved diners, round and square dancing, all kids, horses, snowmobiling, his camp on the lake, hunting, family parties, his close and extended family and anything with an engine. He was the proud owner of many vehicles including once, a 1963 Chrysler 300 convertible and later, a 1917 Model T snowmobile. His greatest love and concern were for his wife, his children, their spouses and his grandsons.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Leona Scott Brownell; his son, Scott (Kymmie Saheim) Brownell; daughter, Candy (Bill) Below; grandsons: Ryan and Damon Brownell and Cooper Below. He is also survived by his siblings: Dick (Helen) Brownell, Wes Brownell, Harvey (Ernestine) Brownell and Martha Brownell Sherman. He is survived by Leona's siblings: Barbara Scott Gaige and Don Scott. Poppy (Uncle) Al also cherished his many nieces and nephews.

Al was predeceased by his parents; sisters: Janet Brownell Goot and Mary Jane Brownell Anderson; brothers-in-law: John Sherman, Niels Anderson and Mike Goot; sisters-in-law: Joan Scott Brownell, Diane Scott and Jo Brownell; and his nephew, Charlie Scott.

Calling hours will be held at the Flynn Bros Inc. Funeral Home, 80 Main Street, Greenwich, NY, 1234, on Friday, May 30 from 4 to 7 p.m.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Easton Methodist Church with Pastor Melissa Weatherwax officiating. Interment will be at the Easton Rural Cemetery, Meeting House Road, following the service.

Friends and family are invited to gather at the Brownell home after the cemetery service.

Contributions to Al's memory may be made to the Easton Volunteer Fire Co, 11804 State Route 40, Schaghticoke, NY 12154.

Al lived a full and happy life always thinking of the next project even though the last one wasn't done, always collecting things he would someday need and being the life of family parties with his sense of humor and just being himself. He was a hard-working man who was always ready to lend a helping hand and displayed generosity, integrity and kindness. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Online condolences and messages to the family may be made at www.flynnbrosinc.com.