Obituary of Daniel Raymond Brooks

Daniel R. Brooks Sr., 59, of Ft Myers, FL passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 24, 2011 at HealthPark Medical Center. Dan was born May 7, 1951 in Amsterdam, NY to the late Erminio and Frances (Duch) Brooks. He graduated from Wilbur Lynch High School in 1969. Dan served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Sharpshooter. On March 27, 1971 he was united in marriage to Virginia M. Mochrie in Amsterdam, NY. Dan worked for Mohawk Finishing Products in Amsterdam, NY for almost 30 years before returning to school to complete his Associates Degree in Construction Technology. After graduation, he worked as a self-employed property manager owning multiple homes in both upstate New York and Florida. His long time dream of moving to Florida came true in 2004 when he and his wife, Virginia officially relocated to the sunshine state. His son, daughter and their families relocated shortly after. An avid fan of music and horseracing, Dan was sure to pass on his love of both to his children and grandchildren. He also put his college degree to good use when he and one of his closest friends volunteered to build homes with Habitat for Humanity. Dan is survived by his wife, Virginia, his son and his wife, Daniel Jr. and Michelle; his daughter and her husband, Kimberly and Mark Glendenning; five grandchildren, Alexandra, Christa and Zachary Brooks, Naples FL, Ethan and Kathryn Glendenning, Tampa, FL; two brothers, Nicholas (Sharon) Brooks, Glenville, NY and Frank (Sharon) Brooks, Amsterdam, NY; two sisters, Grace Grosso, Liverpool, NY and Susan (Nick) Pacillo, Hagaman, NY. Funeral services took place for Daniel R. Brooks Sr. on Friday, April 1, 2011 at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Ft Myers, FL. The mass was officiated by Rev. David L. Arle, Pastor. An additional memorial mass will be held on Friday, April 8, 2011 at 9:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that a donation be made to Zephaniah "Zeph" Villarreal. Zeph is the 15 year-old son of parishioners of the St Vincent de Paul Church who was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumor, or DSRCT in August 2010. Zeph is currently undergoing cancer treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC. The Brooks family would like to personally collect all donations and present them to Zeph's parents. Please send a card, letter, etc. with your donation to: Kimberly Glendenning 18337 Bridle Club Drive, Tampa, FL 33647. Once presented, all who donated will receive a "thank you" as confirmation that the money was received by Zeph's family. More information on Zeph can be found at: www.carepages.com/carepages/Zephaniah/patient. . Arrangments by: Akin-Davis Funeral Home - Fort myers