Obituary of Alan Frederick Brooks

Alan Frederick Brooks, 89, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2024 at Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, New Jersey.

Alan was born on June 29, 1935 in St. Paul, Minnesota and grew up in Norwood, Ohio.  A graduate of Norwood High School, he attended Ohio University where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.  Upon graduating from college, he served two years as a Private First Class in the Army.  He was a member of many men’s social groups including the Shriners and the Masons.

Alan moved from St. Paul, MN to Norwood, OH to St. Louis, MO, to Sioux Falls, SD, and eventually found himself in New Jersey where he met his wife of 55 years, Connie (nee Miller).  After questioning a neighbor about the “stomping” on his head from the apartment above, the neighbor facilitated an introduction to the pretty woman living above him who would later become his wife.  A little fib about it being his birthday and not wanting to celebrate “all alone” convinced Connie to agree to a date and the rest is history.

Alan and Connie soon moved to Old Bridge, where they lived for over 50 years.  A long-time member of the Old Bridge Elks, he served as Treasurer for many years.  An avid story-teller and jokester, he had a long, successful career in office products sales at both McDonald Products and later, Eldon Industries, Inc.  His favorite holiday was Christmas and family would laugh every Christmas, as without fail, he was like a kid and could never wait for his turn to open his presents.

“Big Al” as he was affectionately called by friends, had a huge love of sports, both as an athlete and as a fan. In his younger years, he was a competitive swimmer at Ohio University and also a lifeguard.  He was a basketball player and a softball player and appeared in too many newspaper articles to count.  He was also an umpire known for his bellowing, “Striiiiiiike!!” and an avid golfer.  He loved talking about the Philadelphia Eagles and was a season ticket holder for over 40 years.

He is predeceased by his parents, Arnold and Helen (Scholl) Brooks, and sisters Arnette Raabe and Anne Keyes.

Surviving are his beloved wife, Connie of Randolph, NJ; his loving daughter, Lori Szoke and her husband Eric of Randolph, NJ; his cherished grandsons, Graydon and Thayer; and his adored grand-dog Kingston, whose big sniffs made him laugh at every visit.

Alan will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.  Interment will be at Hilltop Cemetery in Mendham, NJ.

All services arranged by Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 Route 10, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com).