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Alexander Brooks Obituary
Alexander Montgomery Brooks III, a longtime resident of Trumansburg, NY, died on January 15, 2013 in Edgewood, Florida. Alex Brooks, Brooksie, was bigger than life, literally. He was the loving husband of Rosie Brooks, the devoted "stepmonster" to her exceptional children, the surrogate father to several other fortunate children, and a wonderful friend to countless others. Alex wore many hats. He was a chef extraordinaire, an inspired artist, a skilled writer, a great song lyricist, a knowledgeable food critic, world traveler, tour guide, band manager, restaurant and nightclub owner, ambassador at large, bon vivant, raconteur, and a minister in the Universal Life Church which he called "The Church of What's Happening Now, Baby." After graduating from The Cornell Hotel School, Alex worked in hotels in Puerto Rico and in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He ran several nightclubs including The Minor Key Room of the St Thomas Club, The Grass Shack in St Thomas, and a nightclub in Managua, Nicaragua. In Managua, Alex's partner described the craziness of running a club in Central America as "Everything is Wrongovia." Alex took the sentiment to new heights by establishing the Rongovian Embassy to the United States in Trumansburg, New York. The Rongo was a wonderful nightclub which featured a wide array of unusual furnishings and eccentric "ambassadors". The Rongo was noted for its great cocktails, its zesty Mexican food, and its excellent musical entertainment. The Rongo was a celebrated club known worldwide for its radical atmosphere and wild shenanigans. Alex befriended people wherever he went, frequently offering encouragement and support. He inspired others with his understanding, creativity, inspiration, wit, and wonderful sense of humor. Alex knew a lot about a lot. His renaissance sweep of interests enabled him to mentor many people. Alex was always deeply curious and relished the pursuit of non-ordinary reality. He was more spiritual than religious and found deep peace in transcendent states. Alex sponsored and played for the notorious Rongo Ducks softball team, whose exploits on and off the diamond were legendary. Alex had an unusual and obsessive fondness for ducks. Much of his outrageous art teemed with the zany and Zen antics of his ducks. As Brooksie enters the Big Rongo Beyond hear him laughing and Quacking.
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Memories and Condolences
for Alexander Brooks
Sponsored by Those who love will always love him.
Susan Grant
January 27, 2025
We had so much fun and wonderful memories back in the 1970s and 1980s. We miss you Brooksie!
Susan Grant
January 27, 2023
So many of us that were part of the Ithaca Tribe primarily back in 1970's had a great love and respect for this man, our Brooksie. Will always remember him.
William Fletcher
July 15, 2018
Sue Tuch
January 18, 2014
Thank you! RIP
Margaret Brooks
September 21, 2013
To My Dad, Thank you for choosing to be my Dad. I am missing you and loving you more than you could possibly know. Wishing that I could turn back time.
September 11, 2013
Alex, So many wonderful memories in St. Thomas and how lucky I was to see you again 45 years later in Daytona Beach. You will be greatly missed, Brooksie. Love, Chetley.
Merrilyn Russell Lewis
September 11, 2013
I met you a few years ago, in Daytona Beach, FL when you joined us at one of our annual "Bacchanals"... You were friends with one of my best friends from STT.... Chetley.... you will be remembered.... RIP...
Jack Currier
August 14, 2013
I met you late one cold night in the basement of the Rongo with some other Fiji's. (1983) Of all my Cornell experiences, hanging with you is one of the most memorable.
July 29, 2013
Brooksie,
You are an original. Riding the Hearst to the a burger Obie's at 2am was a joy. Your humor masked the best sense of humor and intelligence in the late 60's. I learned a lot from you about how to live and enjoy life. Finding out that you are gone makes me understand what is really important in life. I hope that we can all enjoy life as you taught us. Go with God
I know that he appreciates you. Thanks ALEX
Carol Compton
July 8, 2013
Brooksie you were so kind to me back then.Thanks for the many dinner dates, music&dancing We were so young and free then and you were a true friend. Love, carol
Stephanie GERARD
June 25, 2013
Too too sad and shocking! Sandy, we'll always have Sewickley...
Jane Babcock
February 9, 2013
Sad I won't be able to visit you on Bunganut. :( You are making everyone smile in Rongovia & beyond.
Maggi Trudeau
February 9, 2013
Thank you for all the love you spread around the world. You are legend.
Jim Follett
February 8, 2013
Brooksie, hope you took a couple of Cubans with you, and a good lighter, many thanks for the ones you shared with me. I will remember many, many happy nights in T-burg thanks to you, we'll miss-ya.
February 8, 2013
although I never met you, because of you when asked where I am from I proudly respond Rongovia. Thank you
The Dill
February 8, 2013
Too many memories Albie, but one of my favorites is the Halloween when we boys were the "Burns Sisters"! You were beautiful in your "gown"
Love ya bro...keep kwakin'
RIP
Dan Turbeville
February 7, 2013
Big Al, when we opened the Minor Key Club in 1967 we didn't have a clue, did we? We just blasted off. Whata trip. It's the end of an era. You're in my being. You made a joyous noise for all of us. I love you, Tux
Bennett
February 7, 2013
Thanks Brooksie for being you!
Tom Hogan
February 6, 2013
Alex…a big heart and a deep soul. Thanks for letting me play the piano at the Rongo in the early days, and for helping me when I was just trying to figure it all out..as I still am. Your memory will live on in many, many friends - a mark of a good life.
Tom Hogan
Bitsy O
February 6, 2013
RIP Brooksie--and rock-on! ..you left a great legacy and touched many lives.
February 6, 2013
Our dear friend has left the planet and the many places which we explored together: St. Thomas, Colombia, Dominica, Trumansburg, Ibiza, Barbados, Jamaica, New Mexico, Maine, New York and Mexico where we shared amazing adventures! I will miss you. Love, Maggie
Bill Dickson
February 6, 2013
wow..the RONGO.. losts and lots of good memories..wish I could remember more of them..lol. good times Brooksie. RIP
February 6, 2013
Thanks for the great memories Brooksie <3 RIP
da Prof Farkoff
February 5, 2013
Hail, our Founder-'Rongovia --a State of Mind'---?????
pixi Lott
February 5, 2013
saddened to see someone always so full of life who welcomed me into the T-burg community in 1978. i remember the old pool table in his place and the picture of the bridge across Cayuga lake that I insisted never existed..he proved me wrong ! A Great man and a friend to many ! RIP Brooksie
Vivian Bridaham
February 5, 2013
My dear first husband and most adventurous one, will be missed by all of his friends. He showed me a wild world and I will cherish those experiences and his kindness and voice always. He is with a lot of friends now singing and playing.
February 4, 2013
Brooksie was unigue. I'll never forget the time he bought me a beer after I drove my bike into/out of the Rongo one night. One of kind. RIP Brooksie. Greasy
Frank Brooks
February 4, 2013
Lead on, cousin. Lead on.
Judy & Sandy Sage
February 4, 2013
He was larger than life! Growing up in T-burg with Brooksie was an experience we will never forget. We love you. Prayers for his family.
Neal Hogan
February 4, 2013
Brooksie was my, mentor, boss, conspirator, and friend. We first met through my brother Tom, got closer, when I interviewed him for a high school writing project, and became closest when I worked for him as manager of the Rongo in the early 80s. He taught me too many lessons to count. He was hilariously funny, told great rousing stories, was forgiving of my many errors, and was generous in teaching me about business, mixology - and even fixing a busted toilet. KWAK!
Linda Lally
February 4, 2013
Brooksie,you gave me the title of Duchess of Deuteronomy of you Kingdom of Rongovia. I was deeply honored. I have many, many wonderful memories of times we shared over the years.You made the world a more interesting and fun place. You will be missed by all the many members of your extended "family".
Rock the afterlife good buddy!
Frank Rinker
February 4, 2013
I did not know Al, but if he was anything like his son Dennis, he was a wonderful man. My condolences to Dennis and his family
Dennis Montgomery
February 4, 2013
Thanks for everything my friend fair winds and following seas!
Ardell Allen
February 4, 2013
heaven has just become a lot more colorful. rip Brooksie.
February 4, 2013
Shine on old friend. There's a huge welcoming committee, methinks!
Love always.
Mary Boyd Ridley
February 4, 2013
My teen years in Tburg would not have been the same without you, dear friend! Your vision and inspiration put us on the map. My condolences to Rosie and family.
Carol Richardson
February 3, 2013
Unkle Al I always heard what a fabulous guy you were and when I finally met you you exceeded what I expected by miles. I will miss your bear hugs, postcards and big grin. Thanks for including me in your wonderful zaniness
February 3, 2013
Drive carefully, sweet one!
Maeve, Claire and Patricia Smith Hoppen
Susan Grant
February 3, 2013
He was my big brother in evry way but blood. He watched over me from my days in Ithaca at school until his surgery last summer. He will be greatly missed, but the many memories bring a smile to my face and so many others he touched deeply too. Quack!
Daniel Gill
February 3, 2013
Farewell good sir. You changed T-Burg forever. May you find rest and great rambunctious times up above. You are a thread of eternal memories of place, for all of us locals and ex-pats.
Debra Debra
February 2, 2013
Have a short OV with Richard and know that there is so much love here for you.
Johnny Russo
February 2, 2013
Sincere, honest, artistically motivated, generous, how I appreciated Brooksie sponsoring my old fashioned Jazz Band at the Rongo 30 years ago, & his 100% backing of my vinyl album, "Only Just a Dream" in 1984. My sympathy to Rosie & the kids.
Sincerely:Johnny Russo
Ithaca NY
danny speer
February 2, 2013
at many points i considered the arcane wisdom & black humor of this man to be the epitome of cool; an attribute to be prized
Anne Burgevin
February 2, 2013
I remember getting lost in Alex's warm bear hugs as a young girl. His stories, told with a twinkle and a rare perspective, charmed me and got me thinking... May his loving ways continue. Blessings to you, Rosie, and your family.
Vivien Visser-Carson
February 2, 2013
Your generous spirit and love of life were contagious. You added much to the lives of those who knew you, and that is the measure of a person. You will be greatly missed.
February 2, 2013
A life well lived; so many people are happier because you were here! We think of you and smile.
Doug Richardson
February 2, 2013
Miss ya uNkLe Al.... QUACK!!
Patti Fallon-Sundelin
February 2, 2013
Quack, Quack!! Thank you for you!!!! Such a wonderful man!! Thank you again!!!
jake overslaugh
February 2, 2013
Safe travels on the way to the promised land.. You were a special type of fabric that covered many lives. Your spirit will live on in so many..don't get your feet wet Duk
David Kent
February 2, 2013
The kindest, sweetest, freest, and truest guy I have ever known.
Susan Adie
February 2, 2013
Oh Brooksie, your smile, your love, your generosity will always fill my heart! I am so lucky to have been considered a friend. Dear friend - your spirit soars around all of us.
Donna Stevens
February 2, 2013
I first met Brooksie on a flight from Tucson back in 1978. The Intergalactic Duck will live on in many of us. Thanks for the wonderful memories, I will cherish them always.
Eileen Hughes
February 2, 2013
you are flying with eagles now my friend...you will be missed...you were loved by many...
Fred Bonn
February 2, 2013
So very sad to learn of the passing of Rongovia's founder and most exulted and jubilant ruler. Sleep in peace now my king.
Robert Kane
February 2, 2013
My condolences to the family .
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