MATTAPOISETT, Mass. — David "Freddie" Brownell — founder
and president of Brownell Boat Works and numerous other
marine businesses that bear his name — died last week
after a long illness, according to SouthCoastToday.com.
He was 80.
Born in Mattapoisett, Mass., where he remained a
lifelong resident, Brownell attended Fairhaven High
School, where he cut his commute time by adding a motor
to his bicycle, the paper reports.
Brownell's other businesses included Brownell Boat
Stands, Brownell Boat trailers and Brownell Systems.
Through these ventures, he sold products he had
developed himself, including a hydraulic trailer and
adjustable boat stands that have become the industry
standard.
"The shop was a mile and a half from the water,” friend
Ron Lima told the paper. “I watched him build the first
trailer and I drove it for 10 years."
