Charles W. Brooks, 88, of Norwich, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 23, at his home. Charles was born in Amblerville to the late Edwin and Pearl Brooks and was a lifelong resident of the Norwich area. In his high school years, he was known as “Chuck” or “C.W.” As a volleyball team captain, Charles led the team through three consecutive undefeated seasons and also third place in the NYS tournament. Quotes in his yearbook included “A day for toil, an hour for sport. Enjoys noon hour sport. Always willing to help a friend in need. Machine shop boy. Quiet dependability.”
His first job duties as a young man were at the family owned Brooks Garage in Norwich and he worked part time at Ray Stevens’ gas station. He was a school bus driver from 1960-1977 as well as a delivery man for Clyde Miller and Sears. Charles was also a licensed electrician, owning and operating CW Brooks Electric in Norwich for many years. He served on the Chenango County Electrical Association for 12 years and the City of Norwich Electrical Board. Charles also served his community as a Town of Norwich Councilman from 1972-2019, earning the Commitment to Community Award from Chenango County Chamber of Commerce in 1994.
Charles enjoyed spending time with his family, playing cards, pitching horseshoes, dancing and singing. He also enjoyed puttering on projects, remodeling houses, raising dogs and spending time with his friends at coffee groups where he was known as the mayor of McDonald’s Coffee Club and the mayor of Dan Main Road.
In addition to his parents, Charles was predeceased by his sister, Thelma Brooks; his brother, Lewis Brooks, his twin brother, Clarence Brooks; his sister in law, Maxine Brooks; his brother in law, Frederick Hall; his step sister, Louise Swertfager; and his step brother, Wesley Miller. Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Doris; his daughter, Linda and Steve Winston; his granddaughter, Rebecca and Michael Deuel; his great-grandson, Kristopher Deuel; his brother in law, John Pearson; his sisters in law, Lillian Hall, and Leila Brooks; as well as many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
A funeral service for Charles will take place at 1:00 pm on Friday, October 30, at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, 116 N. Broad St. Norwich. Burial will take place at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, October 29, from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, please wear face masks and observe social distancing guidelines. In lieu of flowers, donations in Charles’ memory may be made to Chenango County SPCA, 6160 County Rd. 32, Norwich, Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County, 33-39 Court St. Norwich, the Norwich Family YMCA, 68 N. Broad St. Norwich, or to Cornell University Veterinary Hospital Program at vet.cornell.edu/giving
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