John Frank Brooks, 89, died peacefully at home in Fall River on March 21, 2009, a beloved father and grandfather. Born in Salem, MA to Frank Ashby Brooks and Grace Choate Gifford, his step-father was Samuel H. Batchelder, also of Salem. He was a graduate of the Loomis School, Harvard College in 1941 and Harvard Business School in 1943.
He entered the US Navy as a Lieutenant. He was stationed in North Africa then served on the aircraft carrier, USS Princeton, supervising aviation ordinance.
He married Jeane Hafner of Norfolk, VA and made homes in Evanston, IL and towns in the Hudson River Valley of New York: Philipse Manor, Ossining, Scarborough, Cold Spring and Garrison.
John was a long-time advertising/marketing executive with major New York and Chicago agencies, eventually becoming an entrepreneur in the development of new food technologies. He was active in environmental issues, especially those affecting the Hudson River. He also served as the Chairman of the Philipstown, NY Community Council. John enjoyed water sports, sailing and golf.
Jeane passed away in 1994, after which he moved to Fall River. He is survived by four daughters and a son-in-law: Gayle Brooks of Fall River, MA, Martha Peterson, David Peterson and Susan Brooks of Mattapoisett, MA, and Leslie Brooks Pesante of Titusville, FL; and three grandchildren: Sibyl Peterson, D. Meade Peterson, and Ashby-John Pesante.
A private interment will take place at Harmony Grove in Salem, MA. A memorial service will be held at a future date in Marion, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Hospice & Palliative Care, 502 Bedford Street, Fall River, MA 02720. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.