Kenneth W Brooks

Kenneth Wisly Brooks
2/19/1924-4/19/2015

Kenneth Wisly Brooks, age 91, passed away peacefully from end-stage kidney disease at home lovingly surrounded by family on April 19, 2015--a gentle passing for our patriot on Patriots Day. A remarkable man who remained mentally sharp through his last day, Ken was a passionate 'people person' who connected with others in all walks of life--all ages and stages--advocating for the youth, the aged, the disabled, the homeless, and diverse groups including native Americans. He was driven to 'stay in touch' with his family and friends, and reached out making connections amongst us that we possibly were too harried or too ignorant to value as fully as we might have.

Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts to Regina W. and Kenneth R. Brooks, he attended local schools, graduating from Holyoke High school in 1941. After attending Monson Academy as a post graduate in 1942, he entered Kenyon College in Ohio where he blossomed as poet, lover of literature and prose, and excelled in sports--soccer and basketball being his favorites. His college career was interrupted by WWII and he served in the US Naval Construction Battalion as Carpenter's Mate, 3/C in the Aleutian Islands. At the end of the war, he returned to Kenyon, completing his accelerated English degree in 1946. Ken sought world travel, working in Tripoli, Libya serving as First Sergeant in the US Air Force managing PX stores for 2 years. After a tour of Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, and Northern Africa, Ken worked in the insurance industry for several decades. His desire to 'make a difference' led him on a new career path midlife, in the areas education, college admissions, and job development counseling.

Ken 'went green' long before it was fashionable, be it working tirelessly on recycling, active in food cooperatives, teaching nature classes for the YMCA, or serving on conservancy and/or land trust boards in MA, CT, NH, and ME. Early on, his love of gardening was fostered by his family's hillside home where not one speck of earth was idle of harvestable bounty!

Ken married Jean Mansfield Craig in 1954; they raised their family of two children briefly in Springfield, and then settled in Needham Heights, MA. Family gatherings and school-/college-made friendships stabilized their lives. Ken and Jean valued the arts and sports alike, encouraging their children to develop multiple skills and attributes. As empty-nesters, they resettled in Old Lyme, CT while caring for their parents in nearby Old Saybrook and Middletown, CT. They enjoyed historical society docenting, warm beach days, and traveling near 'no far to find a great meal or homemade ice cream treats. Grand-parenting found them relocating to southern NH, enjoying family vacations on mid-coast Maine and traveling the length of the East Coast. As a resident of Bedford NH, Ken was appointed to the State Committee on Aging (SCOA) by successive NH Governors from 2001-2007. Ken was honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Liberty House for homeless Veterans in Manchester, NH from 2002-2012. Ken and Jean last moved to age-in-place in their daughter's home in Merrimack, NH. Through it all, Ken was a loving caregiver for his children, grandchildren, and most especially, for his lifelong love, Jean, as her dementia progressed.

Ken was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Phyllis Brooks Stempel, of NYC and Bermuda, and his wife Jean. He is survived by his children, Martha, of Merrimack NH, and Craig and his wife, Jane, of Billerica MA. He is also survived by grandsons, James of Merrimack, and Dean and Colin of Billerica, MA. Ken also leaves behind beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, 'married-ins', and many cherished friends. Donations may be made in Ken's memory to the Liberty House Inc., 75 West Baker Street, Manchester, NH 03103.