William H. Brokate

1920 - 2016

William H. Brokate, 96 years old, passed away peacefully at his home in Orleans on November 28, surrounded by family. Bill had been a long time resident of the Cape retiring to Wellfleet and then Orleans beginning in 1984. Bill was born in Inwood, New York on June 29, 1920 to Florence Roe and William H. Brokate, Sr. He graduated from George Washington High School in 1938 and enrolled in college. He left college in 1941 to enlist in the Army Air Corps, where he became a B-25 bomber pilot flying 52 missions in the South Pacific. He returned from the war and married his best friend from high school, Janet Kaeufer. They had written to each other all throughout the war and in the process fell in love. They married in 1945 and Bill returned to college to earn his degree and start his career in finance. Primarily residing in Chappaqua, New York, Bill and Janet raised four children while Bill rose through the ranks of the Nestle Company, from which he retired in 1984 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. His passion throughout life was tennis, which he played with great enthusiasm at every opportunity well into his late 80s. Bill is survived by his four children, Barbara Bailey, Pamela Bostwick and Melanie all of Cape Cod. He is also survived by his son Brian of South Salem, New York, and five grandchildren, whom he adored. Funeral arrangements were handled by Nickerson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hope Hospice, 275 Attucks Lane, Hyannis. Mass. 02601. For online condolences, please visit www.nickerson funerals.com.