Bruce Brownawell
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Published in RiverheadLOCAL on February 6, 2025
Bruce Brownawell of Cutchogue died on Feb. 2, 2025, at East End Hospice’s Kanas Center. He was 67 years old.
Born on Dec. 9, 1957, in Orion, Illinois, Bruce was the son of Eleanor and Jack Brownawell. He earned a B.S. in chemistry from DePaul University and later received his Ph.D. in chemical oceanography from the MIT-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program. His postdoctoral research was completed at Oregon State University.
Bruce married Anne McElroy on Aug. 31, 1991, in River Forest, Illinois. He was a professor at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University from 1989 until his retirement in 2022. His work in organic pollutant geochemistry made significant contributions to the study of wastewater pollutants in marine environments. In 2004, he and his wife, Anne, were honored with the Southampton College and Newsday Long Island Environmental Leadership Award for their research. In 2018, Bruce and Anne moved to Cutchogue and took over The Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast. Beyond his scientific career, he was involved with Cornell Gardeners, the Hallockville Museum Farm Garden Committee, the Landcraft Garden Foundation, and the Custer Observatory Bee Club. An avid fisher, he enjoyed spending time on his boat, The Alchemist. His family said he will be remembered for his deep dedication to science, his kindness as a mentor, and his love for family, community, and protecting the environment.
He is survived by his wife, Anne; his daughters, Emily of Saugerties and Sarah of New York City and his sister, Beth (John.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m. at Setauket Presbyterian Church in Setauket, officiated by Rev. Johanna Wagner. In lieu of flowers, Bruce’s family suggests friends consider donating to Compassionate Care ALS. The family is being assisted by DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck.
