Johnsonville- Earl William Brownell, 83, a longtime resident of Johnsonville and former Town of Pittstown Highway Superintendent, died peacefully Saturday, August 2, 2025, in the comfort of his home with his family by his side following a short illness.
Born in Bennington, VT, September 10, 1941, Earl was the son of the late Paul and Edna (Brenenstuhl) Brownell and, for over 30 years, the best friend and partner of Anita D. Mullen of Johnsonville, who survives.
Earl attended Hoosic Valley High School and was employed at several area farms, gaining experience of how to tend animals, repair equipment and trucks, and how to be self-reliant.
On February 10, 1967, he enlisted in the United States Army. Due to his extensive knowledge of machinery and equipment, after basic training he was stationed in Europe as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. For over two years, he served honorably and, at the time of his discharge in 1969, was promoted from Private First Class to the rank of Specialist, 5th Class.
Upon returning home from the service, he established his home in Johnsonville and was employed for over 10 years by the Moore Brothers Farm in Johnsonville. More recently, he took a position with the Pittstown Highway Department. While learning the job as a highway worker and truck driver, Earl earned enough respect and friendship of his coworkers to run for the position of Highway Superintendent. After earning the nomination for town office, Earl was elected as the Supervisor of Highways for the Town of Pittstown and held that position from 1988 until stepping down in 1996. He retired in 2010.
In addition to being a member of the Johnsonville Fire Company for over 25 years, Earl had many hobbies, including his love of riding his motorcycle on the back country roads and camping with his family. Even in retirement, he still assisted his farm friends with their chores but, as time passed by, he saw the importance of and valued the time spent with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren, of whom he was very proud and adored.
In addition to his much better half, Anita, he is survived by his children, Megan (Brownell) and Ben Luskin of Pittstown, Karen and Joe Higgins of Mechanicville, April Mullen of Stillwater, Keith, Kim, and Michelle, eight grandchildren, Makena Luskin, Nora Luskin, Keegan Luskin, Skyler Higgins, Ashley Higgins, Montana Marinello, Michael Marinello, and Myles Marinello, many cousins, and many friends made over his years of public service. In addition to his parents, Earl was predeceased by a brother, the late John Brownell.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at the Christ United Methodist Church in Johnsonville parking lot, 22 Bridge Street, Johnsonville, NY, and process to the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga Nation Veterans Cemetery in Schuylerville, where at Earl’s request, a committal service with military honors will be held at 12:30 p.m. There will be no public calling. A celebration of life reception for Earl’s family and friends will follow at Sammy Cohen’s Restaurant, 188 Main Street in Schaghticoke at 1:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Companion Animal Placement Program (CAPP), 279 Troy Road, Rensselaer, NY 12144, to honor Earl’s love of animals of all types.
Earl’s family would like to send a special thank you to Dr. Farooq and his entire staff for their many years of care and kindness in treating Earl and to the Hospice for their love and support of Earl, helping him fulfill his wish of enjoying his final days in his own home.
Born in Bennington, VT, September 10, 1941, Earl was the son of the late Paul and Edna (Brenenstuhl) Brownell and, for over 30 years, the best friend and partner of Anita D. Mullen of Johnsonville, who survives.
Earl attended Hoosic Valley High School and was employed at several area farms, gaining experience of how to tend animals, repair equipment and trucks, and how to be self-reliant.
On February 10, 1967, he enlisted in the United States Army. Due to his extensive knowledge of machinery and equipment, after basic training he was stationed in Europe as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. For over two years, he served honorably and, at the time of his discharge in 1969, was promoted from Private First Class to the rank of Specialist, 5th Class.
Upon returning home from the service, he established his home in Johnsonville and was employed for over 10 years by the Moore Brothers Farm in Johnsonville. More recently, he took a position with the Pittstown Highway Department. While learning the job as a highway worker and truck driver, Earl earned enough respect and friendship of his coworkers to run for the position of Highway Superintendent. After earning the nomination for town office, Earl was elected as the Supervisor of Highways for the Town of Pittstown and held that position from 1988 until stepping down in 1996. He retired in 2010.
In addition to being a member of the Johnsonville Fire Company for over 25 years, Earl had many hobbies, including his love of riding his motorcycle on the back country roads and camping with his family. Even in retirement, he still assisted his farm friends with their chores but, as time passed by, he saw the importance of and valued the time spent with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren, of whom he was very proud and adored.
In addition to his much better half, Anita, he is survived by his children, Megan (Brownell) and Ben Luskin of Pittstown, Karen and Joe Higgins of Mechanicville, April Mullen of Stillwater, Keith, Kim, and Michelle, eight grandchildren, Makena Luskin, Nora Luskin, Keegan Luskin, Skyler Higgins, Ashley Higgins, Montana Marinello, Michael Marinello, and Myles Marinello, many cousins, and many friends made over his years of public service. In addition to his parents, Earl was predeceased by a brother, the late John Brownell.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at the Christ United Methodist Church in Johnsonville parking lot, 22 Bridge Street, Johnsonville, NY, and process to the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga Nation Veterans Cemetery in Schuylerville, where at Earl’s request, a committal service with military honors will be held at 12:30 p.m. There will be no public calling. A celebration of life reception for Earl’s family and friends will follow at Sammy Cohen’s Restaurant, 188 Main Street in Schaghticoke at 1:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Companion Animal Placement Program (CAPP), 279 Troy Road, Rensselaer, NY 12144, to honor Earl’s love of animals of all types.
Earl’s family would like to send a special thank you to Dr. Farooq and his entire staff for their many years of care and kindness in treating Earl and to the Hospice for their love and support of Earl, helping him fulfill his wish of enjoying his final days in his own home.