Robert A. Brooks, age 96, passed away peacefully with his family at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, Florida. Bob was born December 14, 1928 in St. Albans, Vermont, but lived most of his life in Agawam and Southwick, and as a part-time snowbird in Ft. Pierce and Vero Beach, Florida since 1999. He served in the United States Army as a Corporal during the Korean War from 1951-52. He worked as a mechanic at Roncari Trucking in East Granby, CT and in various construction jobs including Brooks Brothers' Construction. He liked to hunt and fish, but farming was always his passion. He raised a menagerie of animals and planted two large gardens every summer until he was 94. He enjoyed telling stories about the old days and loved a good joke or prank.

He leaves behind Barbara (Montagna) Brooks, his wife of 71 years, his children Stephen, Lisa (partner Tom Schlagel) and Jonathan Brooks, his brother Irving (Ed) Brooks, sister Mary Pond, and sister-in-law Judy Clow as well as nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Dorothy Brooks, his stepfather Irving Brooks, and his brothers Alan (wife Peggy) and Gerald Brooks, sister Elizabeth Brooks, sister-in-law Barbara Brooks and brother-in-law Ronald Pond.

Calling hours will be at the Agawam Funeral Home, 184 Main St., Agawam on December 10 from 10:00am - 12:00pm with a funeral home service at 12 Noon. Burial with military honors will follow at the Agawam Cemetery located at 820 Main St. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1818, Memphis, TN 38101-0018 or a charity of your choice.