Bradford Brooks

COLEBROOK, N.H. — Bradford Brooks, 76, of Colebrook, N.H., passed away early Tuesday morning, June 25, 2013, at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, surrounded by his loving family, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on Oct. 13, 1936, in Portland, a son to the late Albert and Ada (Brewster) Brooks.  He was raised in Brownfield and was a 1955 graduate of Fryeburg Academy. He was a 1959 graduate of the University of Maine in Orono.

Brad worked for PSNH for 18 years as the local district manager, moving his young family to the north country, in the mid-1960s. When PSNH closed its local office, Brad purchased the local Chevrolet dealership in 1978 and operated Brooks Chevrolet for the next 22 years.

In addition to his professional life, Brad was a tireless volunteer and participatory citizen. He was a dedicated member of the Colebrook Fire Department for more than 20 years, one of the area’s original Jaycees, a charter member and Past President of the Colebrook Kiwanis Club, a member of the Mohawk Grange #217, a founding member of the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, a longtime member of Evening Star Lodge #37, F. & A.M., and a devoted member of the Monadnock Congregational Church. He was a member of the N.H. Automobile Dealers Association and served on its board of directors for many years. Brad also served on the board of directors at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital for many years. He also supplied the audio equipment and technical expertise for all the local parades and Main Street festivals, for the Tillotson Center and the Great North Woods Center for the Arts, and he was instrumental every year in making sure the lights were on the town Christmas tree.

Known for his ever-present, thick Maine accent, Brad was also an accomplished musician along with his beloved wife, Carolyn. They played together, along with many other local musicians, as “Carolyn & Friends,” in countless venues around the area. In 2009, he was named the “Citizen of the Year” by the Town of Colebrook and received a citation from Governor Lynch of N.H. A fact well-known to his family, but maybe not so much to others, was that Brad, along with his dear friend, Donald Dickson, was a spectacularly unsuccessful hunter. He was truly treasured by his family and all his friends who will miss him dearly.

Brad leaves behind his three sons, Clinton Brooks of Colebrook, Stanton Brooks of Peaks Island and Leland Brooks of Columbia Falls, Mont.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Edwin Brooks of Gorham.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Carolyn Brooks in 2010.

Calling hours will be on Monday, July 1, 2013, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A Masonic funeral rite will be held at the funeral home at 5:45 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 2, at 11 a.m. at the Monadnock Congregational Church in Colebrook with the Rev. Rebecca Larson officiating. Burial will immediately follow at the Colebrook Village Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Brad may be made to the UCVH, 181 Corliss Lane, Colebrook, NH 03576.

Condolences may be offered to the family online by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, N.H.