Frederick Edward Brooks
October 1, 1928 – December 9, 2019
With sad hearts we announce the passing at home, of our dad, Fred Brooks.
Fred was the son of the late Helen May Trecartin and Wallis Henry Brooks. Born in Saint John, Dad spent his early years living on Dufferin Ave and many a day at the summer home in Martinon. Happy memories sailing on the St. John and Kennebecasis Rivers. Helping his own father with the dahlias in the garden. A cherished family photo of the summer place simply reads, “Martinon and home”.
Dad married our mom Jane Fairweather on December 10, 1949. The early years were spent living in Saint John, Morna and Martinon.
A move to Halifax soon followed with apartments on Chocolate Lake, Carleton St. and later a flat on Robie St. Then a final move to Dartmouth.
Dad spent most of his working years in the travel industry. Early on he was a ticket agent with Canadian National, first in Saint John then later in Halifax. He joined the original Maritime Travel on Granville St. in Halifax around 1960.
Together with Kathleen Houlihan, he started his own business in 1977, Brooks Travel. This he carried on for many successful years, eventually expanding to three locations in Halifax.
Dad was a founding member of the local Halifax branch of SKAL in 1974, an international organization of travel professionals, serving as president of the Halifax Club in 1991 & 1992. A member of the Halifax Executives Association and the Rotary Club of Halifax, receiving the Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary.
Our mom Jane passed away at home in January of 1999. For the next twenty years, Dad took on all the tasks of running a household. He cooked, figuring out recipes as he went. He was always trying to perfect his macaroni and cheese. Many a time you were asked to sample his latest creation, not all were eager! Dad baked bread in his machine, made preserves using one of the cookbooks that he bought, "The Complete Book of Small-Batch Preserving".
Mom and Dad were great bridge players, first with the Rossythe club and then later through Rotary. Dad continued this tradition even after Mom's passing, hosting Rotary bridge nights at his home.
Dad loved his home and noticed everything! From crumbs on the floor that needed removal to shower curtains that did not hang just quite right. Up until recent years, Dad would have pets around, Spiro the cat and Rye the dog being the last two. But of course that always meant more housework for Dad!
Dad embraced new technology, a computer to learn email and the internet. Later he cast aside his landline in favour of a smart phone. With both, a myriad of questions and frustrations, but he pushed on, never giving up.
Dad was so creative in figuring stuff out, a mirror placed on the garage so you could see who was in the driveway, while looking out the living room window, but what about at night? How about a light bulb that came on in the house to alert when someone approached. This was long before the internet and smart home ideas.
So many memories, harrowing canoe rides braving the winds on Kejimkujik Lake, hours spent on model trains in the basement....
For someone in the travel business, you would think he would love to travel, and while he and Mom did some, his heart was happiest looking after his home, gardens and family. The plaque on the kitchen wall, given to him by his mother reads in part: “...one is nearer God's heart in a garden, than any where else on earth.” This fall Dad dug up his begonias and beloved dahlias, they are at rest now, but we know, we hope, that in the spring we shall see them all again.
We will miss him...
Fred was pre-deceased by our mom Jane , sister Audrey and brother Frank. He is survived by a sister Beryl in Connecticut. His children Gail (Len Stevens), Faith (Jack Hatcher), Norman (Dawn Bent), Carol (Jack Rossi), and Lance (Sherry Critch). Grandchildren Andrea, John, Dianne, Heather, Blake, Andrew, Julia, Adam, and Luke. Great-grandchildren Jaxon, Charlie, Sophie, Wyatt, and Wesley.
For a short time Dad had assistance from the Canadian Red Cross and the VON. He enjoyed the visits and banter about what they should and should not be doing! The family thanks them all for their kindness.
On the occasional visit to the Dartmouth General Hospital, Dad would often remark on the incredible care he would receive. Thank-you.
Donations may be made in Dad's memory to the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation.
The "MORE..." link will take you to their site.
While there will not be a service, the family invites ALL to an informal time of fellowship at Dad's home on January 18, 2020. See details on the Home page.