Donald Brooks obituary; printer update
Drone poll
Yesterday, we mused about the various drone sightings across the USA. Who do you think is responsible for this?
At the Printer
As of this writing, these two issues are at the printer. We had a slight delay as some copy we were expecting by deadline did not arrive and we made the executive decision to wait on it considering this is our last issue of the calendar year.
We’ll mail out the links to the PDFs later today to those who are paid subscribers to this newsletter. The physical copies will be in stores tomorrow and mail first thing tomorrow morning and hit Greenwich same day.
This Newsletter
We’ve been successful at bringing a large majority of our paid print subscribers to this newsletter, so can break news here. That doesn’t mean we’re thinking of ending the print edition, though. It’s still 40 pages usually, and a nice reading experience unlike anything you can get digitally. Sure, it’s a lot of work to put together, and newsstand sales aren’t really there anymore for any newspaper, but making a print edition is still sustainable for us — as long as people keep renewing/subscribing to it.
Sad Passing
Our condolences for those who knew Donald L. Brooks, the recently departed husband to our “In Good Faith” columnist, MaryAnne Brown. Rest in peace.
Donald L. Brooks, 92, a resident of Greenwich, NY, and more recently of Saratoga Springs, NY, passed away peacefully at St. Peter’s Hospital on December 12, 2024. Don was born on February 4, 1932, in Malone, NY, and lived there until his parents moved to Ellenburg Center, NY in 1937. He continued to live there, spending summers at Chateaugay Lake, until graduating from Ellenburg Central School in 1949.
Don began his college education at Clarkson College. After two years and a required summer session, he changed his major from engineering to teaching, transferring to Oswego State Teachers College, where he graduated as an Industrial Arts teacher in May 1954. Following graduation, he was drafted into the Army and spent the next two years stationed at Fort Dix, Fort Benning, and Fort Knox.
Upon his honorable discharge in 1956, Don started his teaching career as an Industrial Arts teacher at Greenwich Central School. In 1958, he married Marcella “Teddy” Johnson, and the couple moved to Schenectady, NY, where Don continued teaching Industrial Arts at Shaker High School. After earning a master’s degree from SUNY Albany, he transitioned to a role as a guidance counselor at Fallsburg Central School. After three years there, he returned to Greenwich Central School as a guidance counselor, a position he held until his retirement in 1987.
After retiring, Don became an interviewer for the Admissions Office at Skidmore College, a role he fulfilled for 21 years. He humorously noted that by the time he retired from this position, he was interviewing students who had not yet been born when he retired from teaching.
Don’s lifelong passions included woodworking particularly carving cardinals, golf, and volunteering. In retirement, he embraced new opportunities for service, including singing in the church choir, completing Formation for Ministry, serving faithfully at St. Joseph’s Church, developing Van Go Transportation for Greenwich Interfaith, and coordinating its annual golf tournament. He was especially proud of shooting his age in golf with a score of 81 at Pole Valley. Don was recognized for his contributions by the Elks, the Masons, the Knights of Columbus, and Washington County, which named him “Senior of the Year. “
Don had a special way of making people feel cared for, and his kindness and warmth touched everyone he met. His joyful spirit, hearty laugh, and huge hugs will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Don was predeceased by his parents, Lorin and Dagma Brooks; his first wife, Marcella “Teddy” Johnson Brooks; his son-in-law, Scott Boyd; and four nephews. He is survived by his wife, MaryAnne Brown; daughters, Lorraine Brooks of Erie, CO, Denise McQuade (Mark) of Lincolnton, NC, Elaine Blanchet (Robert) of Albany, NY, Marcia Brooks (Ken)of Beverly Hills, FL, Julianne Girard of Clifton Park, NY; and son, Gabriel Girard (Stephanie) of Plattsburgh, NY. Though Don was an only child, he was blessed with six children, twelve grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Teddy’s siblings, Joyce Johnson Mead (David) and Rev. Darrell Johnson (Tash Zukowski) and many cousins, nieces, a nephew, and their families.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, December 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Greenwich, NY, followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. Friends are invited to a reception at the Parish Hall afterward to share memories and refreshments.
Memorial contributions in Don’s name may be made to St. Joseph’s Memorial Fund, 36 Bleecker St., Greenwich, NY 12834, or to Greenwich Interfaith Fellowship, Inc., P.O. Box 124, Greenwich, NY 12834.
Arrangements are under the direction of Flynn Brothers Funeral Home, Greenwich, NY.
Online condolences and messages to the family may be made at www.flynnbrosinc.com.
Thank you for reading our daily newsletter. More tomorrow.