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BORN
1955
DIED
2022
FUNERAL HOME
Brian Brooks Obituary
Brian has left behind his beloved wife, his "Katie" Mary Kay Brooks, who he loved more than anything. Brian was preceded in death by his mother, Irma Meixner Brooks and is survived by his father, Joe Brooks. He leaves behind a loving family; his sisters, Liesa (Jim) Oros, Sharon (Richard) Buchanon, and Michelle (Ken) Margulis; his loving daughters Megan (Shane) Leadbetter, Courtney (Antonio) Felix and Shannon (Jeff) Rutherford. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Reese and Brooks Rutherford, who he loved dearly.
Brian loved his family and especially his children and grandchildren. He will forever be remembered as Coach Brooks, the dad on the court for all of us, who inspired us to be better not only in tennis, but in life. His happiness, gentleness and warmth will be missed. He bled blue and red (West Aurora Blackhawks) and passed away knowing that his legacy would always live on. Brian had a love for music and for concerts, cub games, and all around enjoyed being with his family. He loved riding his motorcycles and the beer club will be short another one now. Brian loved the RV life, traveling, and convinced some of us to get an RV and travel with him. Brian was supportive of his daughters, having been there for them whenever they needed him. He would drop everything to be there for us all, or taking care of the grandchildren, or even being the best assistant coach for softball. Brian's family will forever be grateful for the time they were able to spend with him.
Visitation will be held from 2-8 P.M. on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at The Healy Chapel, 332 W. Downer Pl., Aurora. A funeral service will take place at 11 A.M. on Friday, December 2, 2022 also at the funeral home. Private interment will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
For further information, please call 630-897-9291 or visit our website at www.healychapel.com to leave an online condolence.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Brian Brooks
Patrick Moore
November 21, 2023
Amazing guy Always the cousin i wish I spent more time with. Best regards to the whole family Pat Moore
Rick Johnson
December 1, 2022
My sons, Keith and Tim, had the honor of being coached by Brian at West High. He was a man of honesty and impeccable integrity. Keith and Tim grew not only in their tennis skills, but in learning hard work, teamwork, and fair play from Coach Brooks. It's been said a life should be measured not by its duration, but by its deeds. Brian's coaching on the tennis court and in the game of life made for a life well-lived. His legacy goes on in all those whose lives he touched. Thank you, Brian.
Somya Bergman
December 1, 2022
Coach "Brian" as my kids knew him or Coach "Brooks" as I knew him was one of a kind. Every summer, I looked forward to riding my bike to Washington Middle School to play tennis under Coach Brooks. He made tennis so much fun and was always so positive. Many years later, all three of my kids were coached by Coach Brian at the Aurora Country Club. Coach Brian had not changed one bit in all of those years. He still made tennis so much fun for the kids with his tennis games, nicknames, sense of humor, and tennis trivia. Even on the hottest of days, he never complained or made the kids feel like he didn't want to be there. He was just the greatest guy and I feel so lucky that not only did I have him as a coach but my kids did too. His love for the game was obvious and through his fun-loving personality, he passed that along to all those who he coached. He will be greatly missed.
Lange Bill
December 1, 2022
My condolences to the family.
I coached tennis at Lake Park HS when Brian coached the West Aurora tennis team. He was an excellent coach and always exhibited the best of sportsmanship.
His quiet demeanor and knowledge of the game added much to the enjoyment of being a part of the UpState Conference.
As a coach and a person, he was the best.
Bill Lange
Miriam Wade-Hicks
November 30, 2022
Matthew and I are sending our prayers to your family, prayers for peace and comfort. We have such fond memories of Brian. From high school classmate (`73) to co-worker to pickleball partner. Brian never missed an opportunity to make you feel special. He was one of the biggest and most genuine encouragers we have ever had the honor to know. He will be missed!
Irin Berry
November 29, 2022
Mr. Brooks was our special ed. PE teacher, and what an amazing opportunity to share that life experience with him. I will always remember Mr. Brooks for his daily humor and warmth. He had such a great attitude toward life. I even went back to visit him after I graduated college to say hi and tell him about my successes. What a great guy. The joke I heard him say at least 100 times and still can hear it in my mind. "It's a great day for the race. The Human race."
RIP friend.
Richard W Marten
November 29, 2022
Brooks Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I could hardly believe the news of Brian's passing when I heard of it. He will be missed. Brian and I went to WIU together and were Delta Tau Delta Fraternity brothers who lived a year together in the Delt House. I have many fond memories of our time together and all the laughs we had. We were teammates on the 160 lb. intramural all university championship team at good ole WIU. Brian was such a tough competitor earning the nickname "Nails" around the Delt House. It was so great seeing him once again at Luau in Macomb recently. Prayers and Mass offered for him.
Stephanie (Morey) Cox
November 28, 2022
I am so sorry and sad. He was my adaptive PE teacher at West from 1995-1999. Oh my gosh that´s horribly sad as I have nothing but good memories of him. He was such a good teacher. He taught me to play no matter what and he made me feel free during PE. He always helped stretch me and was able to put me on the floor! And we played EVERYTHING!! NOTHING WAS OFF LIMITS EVEN IF WE NEEDED HELP. His only rule was to try and to get along with each other. He took us to DQ many times and I still think of him when I hear, "Let´s Twist Again Like We Did Last Summer." And he always sang "Jeremiah was a Bull Frog." for one of the kids that he nicknamed. We´d laugh and roll our teenage eyes at him. Oh and he did the "Lucy, I´m home!" routine.
I just had a sobbing moment. I tell my husband all about adaptive PE. We played so hard that I got tipped over in my chair. And when we had an accident in which the student teacher collided with me and broke my joystick and everyone thought it was my fault, as soon as my aide left, Coach Brooks knew I was upset and when I told him and the student teacher, they immediately cleared it up for me because it wasn´t my fault. It was an accident because we were all intensely playing the game.
Rest in peace Coach Brooks. Thank you for accepting me and not judging me and for being my best part of high school!
Louie and Cathy Rodriguez
November 28, 2022
Mary Kay, you have our deepest condolences. What a wonderful man to lose so young but he definitely had a live well lived. We will be praying for you and your family during this time of grief.
Kara Klemencic-Blaha
November 28, 2022
Brian is one of the most wonderful people I have had the honor and privilege to know. Brian was one of the most kind and caring people I have known in my lifetime. He welcomed everyone. Brian was so very dedicated to whatever he was doing, and he always did it with a smile, kind heart, and with joy. He made whoever he was around a better person. I am so sad to know that his life was cut short, but the impact he had on everyone he knew was more than words can describe. One of my favorite memories of Brian is he was the coach/teacher who had a nickname for every person he knew. Coach, you will be so dearly missed.
TL
November 28, 2022
May your memories give you peace and comfort of your loved one. Words fall short of expressing my sorrow for the loss of your loved one. May GOD be with you all during this difficult time. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we have faith that Jesus died and rose again, so too God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in death through Jesus.
Monica L Cruz
November 28, 2022
My deepest condolences to you Katie, Megan, Courtney, Shannon
I had the honor to first teach alongside Coach Brooks during my first year coming to Aurora. We both shared a "funny wicked" sense of humor. I enjoyed coming to work with Brian and the entire West Physical Education department. He will be greatly missed by the community and your family. Prayers to all of you....
Monica Cruz
Rorry Bonifas
November 28, 2022
Brian was one of my tennis coaches in high school. He was so patient and kind. I admired his love for the game and his positive attitude on and off the court. I am thinking of his family and what a loss this is.
Carol (and Ray) Turner
November 27, 2022
What a terrible loss of life and love. You will always be remembered by me for the love you gave to my friend Mary Kay and your girls. I´ll remember the smile on your face when they were near. I´m so sorry.
Mark, Nancy & Alex Horton & Sam (Vanduser) Piccolo
November 27, 2022
This wonderful man was a mentor for both of our daughters, teaching them the game of tennis and good sportsmanship. We are so grateful for being able to spend time with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Mark & Nancy Horton
Raja Mathew
November 27, 2022
Brian was a dear friend of mine. We played tennis together for years in a weekly group and socialized afterwards. Frequently, we got together in the backyard of his house after tennis.
Also, we taught tennis at Vaughan Athletic Center for a few years. I had the privilege of teaching alongside a few of the groups.
I got to know him quite well and gained considerable tennis knowledge just coaching beside him.
Also his love, respect and compassion for others was contagious .
I knew his wife Kay and daughters well and they are chips of the old block. I taught tennis with daughter Megan at the club.
I will miss him dearly as a friend and as a leader.
Hope and pray that the family will have the strength and courage to handle the loss and move forward with fond memories of how much he touched not just his family but all that came to know him.
Michelle Anderson & Jeffrey & Jennifer Yonkus
November 27, 2022
One of the kindest souls that I have ever meet. Our heart felt sympathies go out to his family.
Joe Sitko
November 27, 2022
As a fellow teacher and coach and friend for many years, I am deeply saddened by the news of Brian's passing. He coached my son. I coached his daughter. Many great memories. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Brooks family.
Rest In Peace Brian
Jenny Treadway
November 27, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary Kay and the family. We know that Brian will be missed by all, but we hope your wonderful memories will provide some comfort. We love you, Jenny Treadway & Liz Olson
Marisue Nagy
November 27, 2022
Rest in peace Coach Brooks, heaven has another angel.
Marisue Witte Nagy
Bruce and Cindy Fraser
November 27, 2022
Brian's energy and enthusiasm for life were amazing. We feel extremely fortunate to have known him. Our hearts go out to Mary Kay and family. Brian had a positive impact on the lives of an incredible number of people. He will be sorely missed, but the memories and and experiences will live on in all of us.
Debbie Morrick
November 27, 2022
Rest in Peace Brian. My heart hurts for his family and friends. I met him on the Pickleball court at Vaughn this fall. He was a kind and gentle soul.
Patrick F Moore
November 27, 2022
It's so awful that death is bridging a gap that lasted so long. My fault for that. Some much about Brian flashed through my mind when reading his legacy. The gentle kind smile tops all. Wish I could hug all of you. I know we would laugh and cry simultaneously. My sincerest sympathy Cousin Pat Moore.
Lynn Forry
November 26, 2022
Our hearts are breaking for you Mary Kay, and the girls. What wonderful memories we will always have of Brian. Hugs!!
Mary Kay and Ricky Plomin
November 26, 2022
Our hearts are so saddened to hear about such a sudden loss of our friend. Deepest condolences to Mary Kay and family. We felt so honored to have met Brian through our Gateway family. We were privileged to get pickle ball instructions and to watch Mary Kay and Brian battle it out. Hugs, Prayers and Peace
Ricky and Mary Kay Plomin.
John Laurx
November 26, 2022
Deepest condolences to Mary Kay and the girls. Brian (Coach) always had a kind word and a smile to share.
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