A member of a Union family that has owned its own roofing business for many years died Thursday after an on the job accident.

Deputy Coroner John Fallaw said Freddie Eugene Brown, 52, of 508 Hart St. died in Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Fallaw said an autopsy was conducted Friday on Brown’s body to determine cause of death.

Brown and three of his brothers were part of a crew roofing the Carlisle Town Hall when Brown tripped over some shingles, fell off the roof and landed head first around 7:30 a.m. He initially was transported to Wallace Thomson Hospital but later was airlifted to Spartanburg Regional.

Teresa Brown Humphries, Brown’s sister, said family members were shocked and saddened by the death of her brother, whom she described as a kind and fun-loving fellow who was an excellent son, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Freddie Brown also is survived by his fiance, Bertha Cash, and five children.

Mrs. Humphries said Brown made up a little rhyme he enjoyed telling children about his nickname, “Rudie Pootie.”

“He got that name through wrestling and car racing,” she said.

Brown’s best friend, Dennis Davis, said Brown always called him by the nickname, “Superman.” He said Brown was always a gentleman, addressing ladies and elderly women with “Miss” before their name.

“When he was working at someone’s house he was always mannerly,” Davis said.

Brown Roofing has been in business at least 35 years and is owned by Clifford and Dean Brown. Brothers Freddie and Billy also worked there and another brother, Jerry, had worked in the roofing business in the past.

Mrs. Humphries said over the years the brothers had had minor accidents, including one instance where one fell through a roof, but none had ever been seriously injured before.