Abbott Francis Brownell, Jr
Abbott Francis Brownell, Jr., of San Diego, California and Castine, Maine, died December 4, 2022, after a brief time in hospice in St. Petersburg, Florida. His beloved sister Terri Brownell was by his side.
Abbott Brownell was born September 10, 1942, in Buffalo NY, the son of Abbott Francis Brownell Sr. and Louise O’Donnell Brownell. He grew up in Medina, New York and graduated from the Gow School. He joined the U.S. Navy and served from 1962-1966, as a radar operator aboard the U.S.S Lowe, a destroyer escort and radar picket ship, off the coast of Vietnam. After leaving service, he attended Leicester Junior College (now Becker College) in Worcester, Massachusetts.
In 1977, Abbott moved to San Diego for its beautiful climate and close connection to the U.S. Navy. Always fascinated by technology, he spent the early years of the computer revolution as a computer consultant. He was a very active member of the “Under the Computer Hood Users Group” or UCHUG. He was also active in the Sportsman Club of America, which provided technical support to car races in California, and a gathering of friends called the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Group.
Abbot spent almost every summer since childhood at the rustic family home in Castine, Maine. An avid and expert sailor, he raced the family sailboat, Kate, in races staged by the Castine Yacht Club.
A kind, gentle, funny, loving soul, Abbott made friends wherever he went. He was a regular sight at Dennett’s Wharf, Castine’s local pub, and his late-summer birthdays were attended by scores of friends, both summer and year-round residents. He was also known as an inveterate punster. He will be remembered for all the terrible groans that made us laugh. Abbott and Terri shared their house, with its incomparable view of Penobscot Bay, generously with family and friends for decades.
He is survived by sister Teresa (Terri) Brownell of St. Petersburg,Fla, brother Dr. Will Brownell, of New York City. Brother, George Brownell, niece Brenda (Gary) Banazwski, nephew David Brownell, great-niece Brittany Marciszewski and great-nephew Noah Banazwski, all of Medina. A memorial service and internment will take place next summer in Castine, Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hatch Community Youth Fund (https://thehatchfund.org/).
