Gavin Brownlie, Sr.

On 6/28/25, Gavin passed away peacefully at home with his family all around him. Predeceased by his parents, Alexander and Jean Brownlie; in-laws Salvatore and Enis Vaccaro; brother Ronald Brownlie; brother-in-law David Vaccaro Sr.

Gavin is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marietta Brownlie; sons Jason (Nicole) Brownlie, Gavin Jr. (Danelle) Brownlie; grandchildren Emma (Anthony Peluso), Gage, Gavin III, Peyton, and Alexandra; sister Isabel (Thomas) McCaffery of Columbus, OH; sister-in-law Maryann Vaccaro; many nieces, nephews, great-nephews, and friends.

Gavin immigrated from Scotland to the United States with his parents, settling into the Rochester area in 1957. Upon graduation from John Marshall High School, he enlisted in the US Army and served his country in Vietnam. After an honorable discharge in 1967, Gavin found employment as a Sheet Metal Worker, and a union member of Local #46. It was from there, with 3 partners, they formed Crosby-Brownlie Inc., working countless hours building the skyline of Rochester.

When he wasn’t working, he loved to spend time at “the lake”, swimming, boating, fishing and on occasion, engaging in a little water skiing, just to let us know he could still do it! Or, mowing his lawn, this seemed to bring him a certain peace, that only he could understand.

Gavin’s lifestory will be shared at his visitation on Thursday, July 10 from 4-7 pm at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane, 14626. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10 am at St. Lawrence Church, 1000 N. Greece Rd.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to, the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284, https://www.heart.org/ , Tunnel to Towers, 2361 Hylan Blvd. Staten Island, NY 10306, https://t2t.org/ or Golisano Children’s Hospital, Larry & Cindy Bloch Alumni & Advancement Center, 300 East River Road, PO Box 278996, Rochester, NY 14627, https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/ways-to-give in Gavin’s memory.