J. Robert 'Bob' Brooks, 87

CAMBRIDGE - J. Robert "Bob" Brooks, passed away in his home on Tuesday, July 7, 2009. He was 87. He was born in Woolford on Nov. 9, 1921, and was a son of the late Robert Lee and Claudia Casten Brooks. Bob attended schools in Cambridge. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Africa, Italy and Southern France and later served in the Pacific. He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Bob was first married to Catherine Wheatley on March 21, 1940. She passed away on August 12, 1977. On May 14, 1988 Bob was married to Frances Parks. She passed away on Feb. 12, 2000. Some years ago he had operated a shoe sales and repair business and also operated his own taxi service. He later operated Bob's Party Market. He later owned a self serve car wash on Academy Street in Cambridge, and in 1968 he opened R. Brooks & Son which started as a Firestone Tire service center and evolved into the appliance store which in still operated by his son and grandson on Maryland Avenue in Cambridge. Bob had been an active member of Rescue Fire Company Inc. for over 55 years. He had been actively involved in the building of the Rescue Fire Company pool and arena, and served in numerous other capacities including President and Assistant Chief. Several years ago Bob was instrumental in the restoration project of Rescue Fire Company's steamer. He was also a member of Choptank Memorial Post 7460 VFW and Dorchester Post 91 American Legion. For many years Bob had been an avid boater and enjoyed the camaraderie of his friends at Rescue Fire Company Inc. and the V.F.W. Post. He had been in failing health for several months when he passed away in his home on Tuesday evening. In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Lee Newcomb; and one brother, Wallace S. Brooks. Survivors include one daughter, Bobbe Kaye Brooks of Cambridge; one son, Kemp R. Brooks and his wife Connie S. Brooks of Cambridge; three grandchildren, Katherine Douglas and her husband Laird Douglas of East New Market, Sydney Milligan and her husband Ronnie Milligan of Cambridge, and Michael Brooks of Cambridge; two great-grandchildren, Liam Douglas and Breanna Milligan; one sister, Eunice Miller of Cambridge; one brother, Charles "Chuck" Brooks of Cambridge; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday morning at the Thomas Funeral Home in Cambridge, with the Rev. George W. Wheatley Jr. officiating. Members of Rescue Fire Company Inc. will participate. Interment will follow at Old Trinity Churchyard. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday evening. Pallbearers will be Laird Douglas, Michael Brooks, Ronnie Milligan, Donald Haring, Jeff Hurley and Calvin Stack. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of Rescue Fire Company Inc., P.O. Box 776, Cambridge, MD 21613; or to Choptank Memorial Post 7460, 115 Sandy Hill Rd., Cambridge, MD 21613.