Earl T. Brooks

Floyd- Earl T. Brooks, 84, of Old Floyd Rd., a WW II veteran and retired piano repairman, passed away on Friday, June 6, 2008, at the Veteran's Hospital in Syracuse, after a prolonged illness. A native of Wickliffe, Ohio (suburb of Cleveland) he was a son of Howard and Alice L. Mack Brooks, and as a child he moved with his family to Burlington, VT where he grew up. In February, 1943, Earl entered the U.S. Army serving in the European Theater. During his service he was captured by the German's and held as a Prisoner of War in a German Camp for ninety days until the war in Europe ended in April, 1945. He was honorably discharged from the Army on October 16, 1945, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. On April 2, 1954, Earl was united in marriage with Marjorie E. Hughes in Lanesborough, MA. In the 1960's the couple moved to Utica from the Cleveland, OH area and while in Utica Mr. Brooks was employed as a Route Salesman for Jewel Tea Co., a home shopping service company based in Chicago, IL. In 1970, the family moved to Rome and later to Floyd. For many years, Earl operated Brooks Piano Service. He was known over a wide area for his skill, talent, and knowledge of the restoration and repair of player pianos. Mr. Brooks was involved in the construction of the horse shoe facility at the Floyd Town Park and in bringing the New York State Horse Shoe Tournament to Floyd. He was also an avid bowler and loved to hunt and fish. He is survived by two sons and one daughter in law; Jay and Janice Brooks, Boonville, Jerry Brooks, Austin, TX, one daughter and son in law; Janice and Don Wakeman, Rome, four grandchildren, two sisters; Eileen Bluto, Elizabeth Ritchie, and one brother, Edmund Brooks, all of Vermont. He was predeceased by his wife Marjorie, who passed away on December 2, 1992 and by several brothers and sisters. Relatives and friends are invited to memorial calling hours on Thursday, June 19, from 3-6 P.M. at Skyline Baptist Church in East Rome, (1/4 mile east of the blinker light at the intersection of River Road and Rte 365), with a memorial service beginning at 6 p.m. at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Charles J. Love Post # 406 American Legion Bed Fund, C/O 124 East Schuyler St. Boonville, NY 13309. Arrangements are in care of Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville.