SOUTH NEW BERLIN – Jerry Daniel Brooks, 73, passed away Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009 at his home with his family by his side. He was born on Sept. 26, 1935 son of Mortimer and Florence (Boyce) Brooks and was the last baby born in Dr. William P. Elliott’s home in New Berlin. His childhood was spent in the town of New Berlin.
Jerry attended and graduated from South New Berlin Central School and then joined the United States Marine Corp from 1954 to 1957 during the Korean War. He married Lena Savory on June 8, 1957 at the Presbyterian Church in Guilford Center.
Jerry joined his father in the agriculture business which the Brooks family has operated for 150 years. Jerry was noted for his farming skills in the area raising dairy and beef cattle and sheep. He loved to hunt and fish, shoot trap and skeet. He was a member of the Farm Bureau, New Berlin Fish and Game Club, Harold McIntire Post of the American Legion, National Rifle Association, and the First Baptist Church of South New Berlin.
Jerry is survived by his wife Lena of 52 years, children: Martha Brooks Dibbell and children Jeremy and Emily of Bainbridge; Joe and Jean Brooks and children Robert and fiancée Tracy Webb, Henry, Earl and Erin; Dan and Laurie Brooks and children Stephanie, Margot, Peter and Jill of South New Berlin; Anna Brooks Madden and children Troy and Shannon of Cary, N.C.; Rebecca Brooks-White and Lee White and children Hannah and Grace of South New Berlin. He was predeceased by his parents, a brother William (Tim) Brooks, a son Benjamin and grandchildren, Sarah and Beth. He is also survived by brothers Fred and Sandy Brooks of Unadilla; David and Barbara Brooks of South New Berlin and sisters Anita and Guy Bennett of Wayland; Lois and Wayne Vagneur of Carbondale, Colo.; Esther Kay and Edward Thomsen of South New Berlin; an Aunt, Francis Boyce Brown of Greensboro, N.C.; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family was always first. He could always be depended upon to drop whatever he was doing in favor of an impromptu picnic, pizza party, jaunt to the ice cream store, sledding party, or game of hide-and-seek in the hayfield … and the more family members who could be recruited to join in the fun, the better. He found great pleasure resting in his hammock gently shaded in the privacy of the pine boughs. He was never happier than when surrounded by his children and grandchildren (especially when there was some homemade apple pie involved, or fresh sweet corn or potatoes straight from field). His grandchildren will fondly remember his silly dance to the swimming pool. His care for those he loved, and for his farm and its stability was depthless. He’s been the rock of our family. We will miss him every day.
Jerry requested that his cremains be spread on his family farm. A picnic in celebration of his life will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at the First Baptist Church in South New Berlin. Family and friends are invited to join the celebration with a dish to pass and a smile.
Special thanks go to Kurt Funke, Barry Davis, Joe Acanfora, Screeching Owl, the Bassett Oncology Clinic and Chenango County Hospice. Contributions in Jerry’s memory can be made to the Chenango County Hospice, 21 Hayes St. Norwich, NY 13815.