Entrepreneur
Will Brosemer died of lung cancer on Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, in Stockton. He was 71.
Born March 15, 1935, in Santa Cruz, Mr. Brosemer was raised in Watsonville, where he attended grade school and high school. As a young man, he moved to San Francisco to begin his early career with the Southern Pacific Railroad. He worked first in San Francisco and later in the San Jose office.
After he left the railroad industry, Mr. Brosemer went into business in San Jose, where he owned and operated two Winchell Donut franchises and two Redwood City taverns.
As a child, Mr. Brosemer spent many vacations in Angels Camp, the birthplace of his father Andrew Brosemer, and his grandmother Elizabeth Huberty. Having always been fascinated by the beautiful and historic area, Mr. Brosemer decided to make it his home. He lived in Angels Camp for more than 25 years.
During his time in Angels Camp, Mr. Brosemer restored two historic buildings – the Angels Camp Mercantile and the Brosemer Building. Both buildings won the Historic Architectural Award in two different years for best restoration of the year. He established and operated an antique, gift and furniture store, and an extensive international health and fitness mail order book business.
He founded the first Alanon Club in Calaveras County, a support group for recovering alcoholics and their families. He donated his time, energy, money, and the use of his building for meetings to change people’s lives. Due to failing health, Mr. Brosemer moved to Stockton, where he resided for the past four years.
He is survived by sister Betty Weider; brothers Kirk and Gilbert Putnam; daughter Theresa Katz; and two grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Davis Memorial Chapel in Watsonville. Interment will take place 11 a.m. Monday at Pioneer Cemetery in Watsonville.
Leave a Reply