Walter E Brooks

UNADILLA- Walter E. Brooks, 84, passed away peacefully, and went to be with the Lord surrounded by his loving wife Edna and son Brad and dear friend Ret. Pastor Kip Stratton by his side on April 17. Walt was born on October 25, 1933 in Afton NY, son of (pre-deceased) Fay and Ruth (Decker) Brooks.

Walt served in the Air Force during the Korean War from 1952-1956. After serving, he moved to Shelbyville, IN and Cincinnati, OH working for GE.

After the passing of his father, Walter moved his young family in 1970 to manage Brooks Machine Products LTD in Unadilla. During his ownership, Walt employed many machinists young and old alike. Walt was known by his employees as a caring, giving, fair with a high standard of integrity, employer.

Walter shared that caring and generous attitude to his place in the community. He was a member of the Unadilla United Methodist Church, singing in the choir, Trustee Chairman, as well as Lay Member at Wyoming Conference. He was Past-President of the Unadilla Rotary Club and was instrumental in the Exchange Student Program and also in the Business Exchange. Walt also served multiple terms as President of the Unadilla Chamber of Commerce where he was involved in fundraisers such as chicken bar-b-ques, the sale of fruit, and the mobile events sign. Walt was also very involved in several business and industrial organizations throughout the area such as the BOCES program and growing industrial park in Oneonta.

Walt was proud to help establish the Troop 1 Boy Scout Museum as well as the 100-year celebration held in Unadilla in 2010. Walter was also responsible for the purchase of the first Christmas light decorations along Main Street in Unadilla and would partake in the installation, removal and storing of these items for over 30 years. He was also a board member of the Evergreen Hill Cemetery for over 30 years.

Walter clearly and dearly loved this community and area. Walter’s other passion was for antique and classic cars and was a member of the Algonquin Auto Club and enjoyed the car shows and judging and being with his friends and fellow enthusiasts. His treasured white 1964 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport Convertible was his pride and joy and was seen by many over the past 40 years in parades. Walter is survived by his wife, Edna Brooks of Unadilla, his sister Marjorie and brother-in-law Carl Terpening of Bloomingham, IN. Daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and John Allden of College Station, TX, Daughter, Susan Joplin, of Houston, TX and two grandchildren Brooke Nowak of Bloomington, IN and Ty Joplin currently living in Amman Jordan. Son Bradford Brooks of Unadilla and grandson Mark Brooks also of Unadilla, step-son Jan Mitrzyk of  Northford CT and step-son Chris Mitrzyk and Heather Thomas of Northford, CT, step-daughter and son-in-law Felicia and Tim Vitale and three grandsons, Justin, Kyle and Chase of Allendale, NJ.

A celebration of Walter’s wonderful life will be held noon Saturday April 28th at the Unadilla United Methodist Church in Unadilla. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Unadilla United Methodist Church 73 Main Street Unadilla, NY  13849 or Oxford Veterans Home 4207 State Hwy. 220 Oxford, NY 13830 and for everyone to volunteer in their community.

The family would like to thank the wonderful care givers in the Pine Unit at Veterans Home in Oxford for their patience and compassionate care for our loved one, Walter Brooks.  Online condolences may be made at:   www.wmaddenfh.com.  Arrangements by the Westcott-Madden Funeral Home 123 Main Street Unadilla.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter E Brooks, please visit our floral store.