Obituary for William Brooks
East Greenbush - William Brooks, age 96, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday,
January 1, 2021. Born in Catskill, NY, he was the son of the late Gertrude Rhodes and William
(Willie) Brooks.
Known fondly by his many friends and family members as “Uncle Bill”, he was retired after 17 years of employment with Niagara Mohawk Power Corp, Albany, NY, and prior to that, he spent more than 25 years with International Harvester in Menands, NY where he was actively engaged in the AFL-CIO as a Union Steward. As a young adult, Bill pursued a musical career as a jazz pianist. He honed his piano skills at many of the famous New York Jazz Clubs where he learned from such jazz greats as Duke Ellington and Count Basie. After marrying and moving to Troy, he attended the Troy Conservatory of Music where he wrote and performed the first of three concertos for piano. Prior to marriage he served from 1943-1946 in the Army Air Corps which later became the U.S. Air Force, as a Staff Sergeant. During his time in the military, he served in six different campaigns in Japan and the south Pacific earning numerous medals and honors of distinction. After leaving the service he dedicated his life to continuous support of his fellow veteran colleagues thru his more than 30 years of dedicated VFW volunteer work, serving both as a Post Commander and NYS VFW Drug Chair. In recognition of his lifetime of dedicated service he was inducted into the “Military Order of The Cootie”. In 1948 after marrying his beloved wife of 73 years, Bessie Boler Brooks, faith and family became the cornerstone of his life. He became actively engaged in the Episcopalian Church serving for more than 30 years on the vestry of St. Barnabas Church in Troy, NY. He also continued to be a faithful member of Trinity Church in Lansingburgh, NY.
William was predeceased by both of his parents and his beloved wife, Mrs. Bessie Boler Brooks. He is survived and loved by his eight children, Mrs. Elizabeth Bausili, Ransomville, NY, Mr. William Brooks, Petersburg, NY, Mrs. Patricia Pearman, Menomonee Falls, WI, Ms. Paula Brooks, Rochester, NY, Mr. Marc Brooks, Mr. Gregory Brooks and Mr. Charles Brooks all of Hartford CT, and Ms. Marcia Brooks of Albany NY. Additionally, Mr. Brooks is survived by seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, his sister, Mrs. Gertrude Moses of Troy, NY, and numerous nieces and nephews.
At the request of the family all funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers or cards, the family is requesting that donations be made in the memory of their bellowed father William Brooks to Fisher House at Stratton VAMC, 113 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, https://www.albany.va.gov/visitors/fisherhouse.asp.
January 1, 2021. Born in Catskill, NY, he was the son of the late Gertrude Rhodes and William
(Willie) Brooks.
Known fondly by his many friends and family members as “Uncle Bill”, he was retired after 17 years of employment with Niagara Mohawk Power Corp, Albany, NY, and prior to that, he spent more than 25 years with International Harvester in Menands, NY where he was actively engaged in the AFL-CIO as a Union Steward. As a young adult, Bill pursued a musical career as a jazz pianist. He honed his piano skills at many of the famous New York Jazz Clubs where he learned from such jazz greats as Duke Ellington and Count Basie. After marrying and moving to Troy, he attended the Troy Conservatory of Music where he wrote and performed the first of three concertos for piano. Prior to marriage he served from 1943-1946 in the Army Air Corps which later became the U.S. Air Force, as a Staff Sergeant. During his time in the military, he served in six different campaigns in Japan and the south Pacific earning numerous medals and honors of distinction. After leaving the service he dedicated his life to continuous support of his fellow veteran colleagues thru his more than 30 years of dedicated VFW volunteer work, serving both as a Post Commander and NYS VFW Drug Chair. In recognition of his lifetime of dedicated service he was inducted into the “Military Order of The Cootie”. In 1948 after marrying his beloved wife of 73 years, Bessie Boler Brooks, faith and family became the cornerstone of his life. He became actively engaged in the Episcopalian Church serving for more than 30 years on the vestry of St. Barnabas Church in Troy, NY. He also continued to be a faithful member of Trinity Church in Lansingburgh, NY.
William was predeceased by both of his parents and his beloved wife, Mrs. Bessie Boler Brooks. He is survived and loved by his eight children, Mrs. Elizabeth Bausili, Ransomville, NY, Mr. William Brooks, Petersburg, NY, Mrs. Patricia Pearman, Menomonee Falls, WI, Ms. Paula Brooks, Rochester, NY, Mr. Marc Brooks, Mr. Gregory Brooks and Mr. Charles Brooks all of Hartford CT, and Ms. Marcia Brooks of Albany NY. Additionally, Mr. Brooks is survived by seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, his sister, Mrs. Gertrude Moses of Troy, NY, and numerous nieces and nephews.
At the request of the family all funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers or cards, the family is requesting that donations be made in the memory of their bellowed father William Brooks to Fisher House at Stratton VAMC, 113 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, https://www.albany.va.gov/visitors/fisherhouse.asp.