Frederick was born in the Town of New Berlin on June 30, 1934 to Glenn T. Brooker and Thelma (Wilcox) Brooker. He spent much of his childhood on the Wilcox family farm in So. New Berlin and there are fond memories of him being the only one to be able to ride a work horse named Prince. After graduating from Norwich High School in 1955, Frederick worked at Briggs Lumber and Norwich Eaton as a laborer before entering the United States Army in May of 1957 then being honorably discharged in May of 1959. Frederick then dedicated 40 years to Norwich Eaton as a laborer and then as their resident electrician until retiring in 1996.
Frederick visited the Norwich NBT one day and was preoccupied by sweet looking vault attendant named Gertrude Whaley, whom he would later marry on May 7, 1960. Frederick Brooker was a humble man that worked hard to provide for his family, teach them about respect and have a strong value system. Frederick enjoyed watching vintage Westerns, especially Hopalong Cassidy and the Lone Ranger. He admired the John Deere tractor and Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jr. on the Nascar circuit. His family remembers spending many Sundays checking out engines at events hosted by the Southern Tier Gas and Steam Association. Frederick loved doing yardwork and watching his beloved chickadees and cardinals, diligently filling his feeders and was even skilled to have them eat out of his hand.
Frederick would bend your ear with a lengthy story or string several stories together to keep your attention. He was full of so much information that is was hard to walk away. His boyish smile is something to be remembered.
Frederick is predeceased by his parents, Glenn T. Brooker and Thelma (Wilcox) Brooker. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Gertrude (Whaley) Brooker, his sons Lynn Brooker (Heather) of So. New Berlin, Raymond Brooker of Harpursville and his daughter Allison Brooker of Liverpool. His grandchildren Nicole, Ashley and Wyatt will surely miss their Grandpa Brooker.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Norwich SPCA- 6160 Co. Rd 32 Norwich, NY 13815 or the Norwich Car Museum- 24 Rexford St. Norwich, NY 13815.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, April 8 from 11:00am-1:00pm at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Broad Street in Norwich. A memorial service will be immediately following. Private Interment for family will follow the memorial service at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
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