Robert M. Brooks

Robert M. Brooks, 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 27, 2024, at the Presbyterian Home with his family by his side. Born on May 31, 1939, in Utica, Bob was the son of the late Walter E. and Margaret (Bastow) Brooks. He was a 1958 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School and continued his education at Mohawk Valley Technical Institute (MVCC) where he earned an Associate's Degree in 1960. A proud US Army veteran, Bob served his country from 1961-1967 during the Berlin Crisis and Vietnam War. On October 16, 1965, Bob married Marilyn E. Giannotti in St. Peter's Church, North Utica, a blessed union of 59 years. Bob was a pressman at Canterbury Press in Rome, where he dedicated 38 years of service prior to retirement. After retiring he was a "Man of all Trades" and social greeter at Chanatry's Market until 2013. Bob was a member of the International Printing Pressman Union, American Legion Post 1376 New Hartford, Greater Utica Youth Baseball Association, NYS Baseball Umpires Association and Our Lady of Lourdes Men's Club. First and foremost, Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His interests reflected a strong connection to family, his faith, and community. He enjoyed sports, especially coaching youth baseball for 15 years. His favorite teams included the Brooklyn Dodgers and NY Giants. He loved to bowl in the Catholic Men's League, go fishing with friends and family, camping at Limekiln Lake, visiting family in North Carolina, reading about history especially WWII and local history and attending Our Lady of Lourdes Men's Club "retreats". Surviving besides his beloved wife, Marilyn who he fondly called "Brown Eyes", are his children, Michael (Anne-Marie) Brooks, Kathleen (Don) Greer, and Stephen (Katherine) Brooks; sister, Kathleen (John) Pugh; grandchildren, Lindsey Greer, Christopher Greer, Ryan Brooks and Maria Brooks; grand-dogs, Opus and Henry; cousin, Jim (Patty) Callahan, and "third son", Kevin O'Toole. Bob was predeceased by his granddaughter, Kaylee Marie Brooks. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. at McGrath, Myslinski, Kowalczyk & Nunn Funeral Directors, 470 French Rd., Utica. Funeral services will be Friday, January 3rd at 11 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Bob's name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or the New Hartford American Legion Post 1376, 8616 Clinton St., New Hartford, NY 13413. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The Brooks family extends their gratitude to the staff of the Presbyterian Home for their love, care, and compassion, especially the Wall St. Unit. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert, please visit our floral store.