Son of Thomas Stevens Brownell and Anna Gertrude Young Brownell. Brother of Ira Thomas Brownell and Ethel May Brownell Lester. Husband of Zelma Berenice Ritter Brownell. Children: 1 daughter.
Resided in Riverside, RI and St. Petersburg, Fl.
Ray was a circus drummer in the late 20's until 1941. He performed with several shows such as Hagenback and Wallace, Clyde Beatty Cole Bros, and Ringling Bros.under the direction of Merle Evans who later (in his book)named Ray into his circus musicians hall of fame.He remained with Ringling Bros until he was drafted into WW2. Army Sergeant Brownell married the love of his life on June 3, 1944 and was honorably discharged from the army due to an eye ailment. He was later hired by the US Postal Service and was a letter carrier until the death of his wife in 1972. Ray also performed with the RI Philharmonic for many years. He spent several retirement years living in St. Petersburg, Florida, until illness caused him to return to his family in RI.
Resided in Riverside, RI and St. Petersburg, Fl.
Ray was a circus drummer in the late 20's until 1941. He performed with several shows such as Hagenback and Wallace, Clyde Beatty Cole Bros, and Ringling Bros.under the direction of Merle Evans who later (in his book)named Ray into his circus musicians hall of fame.He remained with Ringling Bros until he was drafted into WW2. Army Sergeant Brownell married the love of his life on June 3, 1944 and was honorably discharged from the army due to an eye ailment. He was later hired by the US Postal Service and was a letter carrier until the death of his wife in 1972. Ray also performed with the RI Philharmonic for many years. He spent several retirement years living in St. Petersburg, Florida, until illness caused him to return to his family in RI.
Son of Thomas Stevens Brownell and Anna Gertrude Young Brownell. Brother of Ira Thomas Brownell and Ethel May Brownell Lester. Husband of Zelma Berenice Ritter Brownell. Children: 1 daughter.
Resided in Riverside, RI and St. Petersburg, Fl.
Ray was a circus drummer in the late 20's until 1941. He performed with several shows such as Hagenback and Wallace, Clyde Beatty Cole Bros, and Ringling Bros.under the direction of Merle Evans who later (in his book)named Ray into his circus musicians hall of fame.He remained with Ringling Bros until he was drafted into WW2. Army Sergeant Brownell married the love of his life on June 3, 1944 and was honorably discharged from the army due to an eye ailment. He was later hired by the US Postal Service and was a letter carrier until the death of his wife in 1972. Ray also performed with the RI Philharmonic for many years. He spent several retirement years living in St. Petersburg, Florida, until illness caused him to return to his family in RI.
Resided in Riverside, RI and St. Petersburg, Fl.
Ray was a circus drummer in the late 20's until 1941. He performed with several shows such as Hagenback and Wallace, Clyde Beatty Cole Bros, and Ringling Bros.under the direction of Merle Evans who later (in his book)named Ray into his circus musicians hall of fame.He remained with Ringling Bros until he was drafted into WW2. Army Sergeant Brownell married the love of his life on June 3, 1944 and was honorably discharged from the army due to an eye ailment. He was later hired by the US Postal Service and was a letter carrier until the death of his wife in 1972. Ray also performed with the RI Philharmonic for many years. He spent several retirement years living in St. Petersburg, Florida, until illness caused him to return to his family in RI.
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