Craig H. Brooks

Craig Hewitt Brooks

The family of Craig Brooks sadly announces his passing. After a lengthy illness, Craig passed peacefully, painlessly, and quietly in his sleep at his home in Solon Saturday, August 9th, 2025.

Craig was born in Attleboro, MA on March 1st, 1935. He relocated with his family very early in his life to Eliot, Maine.

He is predeceased by his mother Idella Gardner Batchelder, his adoptive father Ralph Gordon Brooks, his brother Ralph Jr. ("Joe"), and his sister Beverly.

Craig leaves behind his devoted wife of 66 years, Joan Alice (LaBranche) Brooks in Solon, ME.

Craig also leaves his five children and their spouses: daughter Paula & husband Steve Jacunski in Bath, ME; son David & wife Susan Brooks in Rochester, NH; daughter Leslie & husband Curtis Hartman in Milton, NH; daughter Shelley & husband Dustin Donahue in Hillsboro, OR and two nieces; and son Kevin & wife Barbara Brooks in Athens, ME.

He leaves his former neighbor and trusted friend Joe Docimo, among others lucky enough to know him.

What else can be said about Craig? Honestly, plenty of great things can be said about him - the man he was, the life he led, and the example he set for others. He passed on his love of the great outdoors to his children

Craig left school in Newington, NH after eighth grade. His education didn't end there, though. He kept reading and learned what he could through the outdoors. He joined the military. He bravely served in the U.S. Army Airborne 82nd and 101st Divisions as a paratrooper from March of 1954 until his honorable discharge in February of 1957.

After a wonderful blind date, he married his sweetheart Joan May 21st, 1959.

Craig held many jobs over the years. He owned and operated his own garage in Newmarket NH when he met Joan. He worked at the Polish Club in Newmarket and did odd jobs to support his growing family. He was a skilled heavy equipment mechanic. He worked for Bell & Flynn and Buxton Brothers, both in Exeter, NH.

He operated his own shop called "Brooks Repair" in Brentwood, NH, while working for the Rockingham County Nursing Home. He maintained the fire trucks for the local fire dept and even volunteered at the fire house, and got his son David interested in volunteering with the fire department.

Before retiring, Craig and Joan decided to retire in to Maine. They searched around and found the right wooded lot in Solon. With help from family, they cleared that lot by hand and built their home, travelling up from New Hampshire every weekend, living in a small trailer until it was finished.

Craig was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed snowmobiling and even helped maintain the local trails, joining the Abnaki Snowmobile club in Madison, Maine.

Craig became a fixture in the community, from chatting with the guys at the transfer station, the folks at the town hall, and the girls at Jimmy's Supermarket in Bingham. He truly was one of "those guys." He made friends easily.

You never had to ask him for help because he offered. He gave great advice. Craig will be greatly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to know him.