1 Photo
George W. Brooks Jr. of Mastic Beach, formerly of Riverhead, died June 24. He was 59.
Born May 27, 1956, to Devora (Sykes) Brooks and George W. Brooks Sr. at Central Suffolk Hospital in Riverhead. He grew up in Westhampton Beach, graduating from Westhampton Beach High School in 1973. Upon graduating, Mr. Brooks, known affectionately as “Junie,” enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in the air traffic control division. After finishing his service in Mississippi, he returned to Long Island.
In 1974, he met Darlene Halsey, and he married her in August 1980.
Survivors said Mr. Brooks was an extremely hard worker and a talented jack-of-all-trades. He worked as a landscaper for a number of years, and at Whitefield condominiums sometimes bumped elbows with the rich and famous. Later, around 1984, he went to work as a custodian for Eastern Suffolk BOCES. He became quite proficient in his profession and was eventually promoted to supervisor. He remained in this position until his retirement in 2008.
In 1991 he was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Riverhead. He attended the church faithfully and later also attended the Living Water Full Gospel Church, as well as the Holding Out Hope Church, where he served as an usher. Survivors said, “He loved the Lord and wasn’t ashamed to say so.”
A family man, he adored his children and grandchildren. He spent much of his time with his grandson, Jordan Brooks, whom he raised until Jordan was about 5 years old. Survivors said he had a special bond with his grandson, more like that of father and son, and continued this relationship until he died. On the day of his grandfather’s passing, Jordan Brooks graduated from college in Columbia, Maryland.
Mr. Brooks devoted much time and effort to supporting his family. He always stressed that his children should finish school and go on to higher education, and they all did.
He loved to fish, play games, and watch westerns and wrestling. He also loved to eat watermelon and always looked to buy the biggest one he could find. He was always willing to go that extra mile for others, survivors said.
Mr. Brooks is survived by his wife, Darlene of Mastic Beach; his parents, George and Devora Brooks of Westhampton Beach; his mother-in-law, Dorothy White of Riverhead; three siblings, Anna of Westhampton Beach, Elisa of North Carolina and James of Centereach; seven children, Corie Crews and wife Lisa of Shirley, Sonia Brooks of Mastic Beach, Tamara Brooks of Baltimore, Matthew and wife Kellie of Rhode Island, Crystal Brooks and husband Jamel of the Bronx; Marissa Brooks of Mastic Beach, and Vontrell Brown of Hempstead; 19 grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Linda Woodson of Riverhead and Anne Brooks of Centereach; three brothers-in-law, Nazrus Halsey of California, Mohammed Proctor of Riverhead, and Noah Halsey of Maine; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Viewing and service were held on June 30 at Galilee Church of God in Christ in Riverhead. Interment with military honors followed at Calverton National Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home of Southampton.
on Jul 7, 2015