Bob finally decided that he had had enough with this life and decided to go on a permanent fishing trip August 22nd 2019 at 4:30 AM. He always said if you wanted to go fishing, you had to get up early.
He was preceded in death by his Father, Virgil Dale Brooks. His Father was killed while serving his country in WWII. Virgil’s grandson is his name sake. Virgil married Bob’s Mother, Gladys Kathleen Misner-Brooks-Greathouse before going to war. She also preceded Bob in death. He never knew his Father.
His Mother was his very best friend. Oh, he had others like Jim McGill and his three ex wives by four marriages and of course, Elijah Brooks his brother of a cousin and family. He was happiest when with family. He was also preceded in death by his step-father, Wayne Greathouse and all of his siblings. He credited his brother Kerry Greathouse with saving his life through AA.
Bob was very prolific in his lifetime and wanted to make very sure that his Family name would be carried on, so he left a lasting legacy of many children and step-children. But when asked how he was doing he would say, “Without”. He will spend eternity fulfilling his dream of fishing on the big lake every day. One day at a time; as he lived his life.
He must have really liked his 1st wife, Jan Moscorelli a lot because he married her twice. It’s true what they say; The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. It must be true. Bob always said he would never go hungry. Jan loves to cook. Otherwise, it looked like they were quite busy producing their children; Melanie Brooks, Virgil Brooks (Denece), Deborah White (Dwane), and Brenda Nolf.
His 2nd wife, Alla by his third marriage, brought with her Virgil (Buddy) Homan (Renee), Randy Homan (Carmen), Chris Richmond (Chuck), and together Bob and Alla created Robin Nolf (Mike), and Rhonda Brooks. Bob must have been a great provider with so many mouths to feed. All those mouths must have been why he enjoyed going fishing so much.
His 3rd wife by his fourth marriage, Marilyn gave him James (JB) McGill (Tracey), Alan Brooks (Kirsten), and Robert Dale (Bobby) Brooks, Jr. (Jamie). Bob and Marilyn enjoyed a wonderful trips to Key West, Florida along with many other adventures with the Boys Scouts, but they loved to have family gatherings at Thanksgiving when all the kids and grandkids would get together to visit and play in the snow or have Easter egg hunts before Marilyn preceded Bob in death.
Bob was also survived by Brittany Kelly, Mother of two of his precious grandchildren. All told, Bob was Patriarch to forty-one Grandchildren and thirty-nine Great Grandchildren. There will definitely be many, many tears shed at his passing and a long line of descendants to carry on his legacy.
Bob never asked for much out of this life except that his children be well provided for and whenever they came to visit they bring fishing worms. Bob’s happiness was family and as long as he had squealing children playing around he was happy. When asked why he fought so hard against cancer, he said, “I want to live to see those new Grandbabies. He did. He had cataract surgery in both eyes so he could see them more clearly. His last request was to see all of his children together at one time one more time. His wish for everyone was that we would each learn to live One Day at a Time.
Memorial services for Bob will be at 2pm October 25, 2019 in Troy at the chapel of Riverside Cemetery, the Reverend Elijah Paul Brooks presiding. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com.
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