John Robert Brooks

John Robert Brooks, 81, died June 6, 2016 at his home following a long and valiant fight against cancer. He leaves his wife of 59 years, Marianne Brooks; his siblings, Cecilia Scher, Tom (Jane) Brooks and Joan (Duane) Lods; his children, Sara (Robert) Massey, Becky (Bill) Shields, Mike (Christine) Brooks, Amy (John) Steging, Dan (Carol) Brooks, Nancy (David) Smith and Tim (Thuy) Brooks; 18 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; and many close friends. Born and raised in Lafayette, IN, he was the son of Paul and Mary Brooks, who he will be joining in heaven along with his brother Paul. John grew up in Lafayette and after graduating high school, he attended Indiana University, graduating in 1957 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He met his wife, Marianne Bouvy, at the Newman Center on campus and they were married in 1956 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Vincennes, IN. Mr. Brooks was a reservist in the United States Army for six years. After college, Mr. Brooks began a successful career in retail management, working his way up to executive management positions at several national retailers. He concluded his business career as National Sales Manager for Comfort, Inc. in Miami, FL. After retiring from the retail industry, John worked at Bonita Bay and Vasari country clubs for the next 15 years. During that time, John was proud of being able to bring friends and family together on the golf course. John and Marianne continued from the Newman Center at IU to deep involvement in the Catholic community everywhere they lived. They were founding members of St. John the Evangelist church in Naples and have been members for the past 23 years. John was an active participant in the Knights of Columbus and served as interim Grand Knight as well as on many other committees. John and Marianne provided pre-marriage counseling to couples for over 25 years and mentored and modelled a faith-based relationship to all who met them. Mr. Brooks was awarded the Willie Etten Human Relations Award at a grand ceremony in New York City. The award is indicative of the causes for which he believed in and volunteered time and resources to promote, but his greatest legacy is his commitment and his love to his family and those close to him. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 12:00 PM (noon) at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the church memorial garden. Memorial donations may be made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105, whose hospice care created a peaceful and meaningful transition. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.

John Robert Brooks

June 25, 1934 - June 6, 2016