Anthony Brooks

CHESHIRE- For many people in Cheshire, Anthony Brooks was their welcome plumber. His motto was 'No Job Too Small' and for twenty five years he serviced the community with same day service and very low fees, sometimes for free. He loved bringing flowers to the ladies in plumbing distress.

Mr. Brooks was born in New York City in 1919. He was the descendent of Sir. Arthur Brooks, who first came to New England from England in 1694 with an extensive land grant along the Connecticut River. During his younger years Mr. Brooks enjoyed hunting dangerous game, and made two safari trips to Africa with his father. With the outbreak of World War II he entered The United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point where he graduated with distinction. Upon graduation he sailed with the north atlantic merchant fleet, surviving many convoys that were preyed upon by the German submarine wolf packs.

He met his wife, Ruth Zehnder Brooks on Broadway in 1945. Within months they were married. At the end of the war they moved to Bermuda where Mr. Brooks worked as a consulting engineer for many years. He was recruited by Scovill Manufacturing in Waterbury to oversee their power plant, and in 1956 the family moved to the Hansen estate in Cheshire.

In addition to his position at Scovill's, Mr. Brooks established one of the largest breeding kennels in Connecticut, named Ru-An Kennels. His championship bassets and beagles were shipped throughout the country, and to South America and Europe. He and his dogs became familiar faces at the Westminster Dog Show.

Upon retiring from Scovill in 1980, Mr. Brooks started a small plumbing business in Cheshire with the intent of giving back to the community, especially senior citizens. His wife, Ruth, of forty nine years died in 1994. In 2008, at the age of 88 he suffered his first of three strokes. He was unable to continue working but remained quite visible in Cheshire. He frequented the Senior Center and was out and about shopping and visiting friends with his caretaker nearly every day.

Mr. Brooks is survived by two sons; Glen Z. Brooks, MD of Sands Point New York, and Paul A. Brooks, MBA of Milford Pennsylvania. He also is survived by eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He will be missed by Mr. Edward Goebeler who has been his dearest friend for twenty five years, and more recently his caretaker.

There will be a memorial gathering for family only later this summer. Following the memorial, his and Mrs. Brooks' ashes will be brought to Bermuda and scattered onto the waters in front of their former home.