William Preston Brawn, of Ponte Vedra, Florida, and formerly of Camden, Maine, died on March 17, 2024 after a short illness.

(William) Preston Brawn was born in Camden, Maine, on December 30, 1948, the first of three children of William S. and Shirley C. Brawn. 

Preston graduated from Camden -Rockport High School in 1967 and he graduated from Southern Maine Vocational Institute with a degree in Marine Biology in 1969. 

He married Linda Curtis Brawn on August 19, 1968.  They spent many years together in Camden at homes on Sea Street,  Park Street and Washington Street prior to his career move to New Jersey.

Preston is predeceased by his parents, his special brother, Robert Alton Brawn (March 2023), and his former wife and good friend, Linda Curtis Brawn (October 2023). 

He is survived by his two sons, Charles Preston Brawn, and his partner Hilary Manning; and Michael Brawn and his wife, Leslie . Preston was blessed with five grandchildren: Emelia, Nicholas, Josephine, Chloe, and Chase. He is also survived by his brother Jeffrey and sister-in-law Robin and family, and his daughter-in-law Marney Holmes. 

Preston worked for 45 years for FMC Corporation, (originally Marine Colloids) in Rockland, Maine. His career with FMC took him to the offices in New Jersey as well as many destinations around the world. His positions included lab work, quality control, customer relations and sales, primarily in food ingredients and cosmetics. 

In recent years, Preston was called out of a short term retirement to work for a much smaller but similar company in Naples Florida. Preston relocated to Bradenton Florida in 2014.

An active member of his community, Preston served the Camden Fire Department and the Town of Camden, Maine for over 25 years.

Preston was Captain of Ladder 1 and later served many years as an Assistant Chief. He was a member of Federal Lodge #6 for 49 years, joining in February 1974.  He served as Master of the Lodge 1978 to 1979 and again 1990 to 1993. 

He also served the Masonic Fraternity as District Educational Representative, 1984 to 1986 being responsible for ensuring eight lodges receive the proper Masonic education and training. He continued his Masonic journey by joining the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Rockland and Portland in 2014. Preston also served his community as a member of various committees and boards.

 Preston was well known as a good storyteller from way back, and could talk with most anyone about most anything. This gift served him very well in his various business positions; while he would rarely walk away from a good discussion or argument, he could eventually resign to acknowledging a variety of ways of seeing things.

He will be remembered as a kind and caring person, often quietly finding ways of helping people in need. 

The family is planning a celebration of life for Preston on May 11, 2024, 11 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge in Rockport.  Memorial donations may be made to:  Federal Masonic Lodge 6, 361 Main St., Rockport, ME 04856; Atlantic Engine Company #2, 31 Washington St., Camden, ME 0484; or the French Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 998, Camden, ME 04843