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Gary E. Brooks, 60, of Genoa, Ohio, died Saturday, June 11, 2011, with his family at his side, in the Edward and Marion Knight Hospice Center, Perrysburg, Ohio. Gary had fought a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease for the past several years. Gary was born in Toledo, Ohio, on January 31, 1951 to Bill and Jean (Wunderley) Brooks and was a lifelong resident of Genoa. He was a glass worker for the Libbey-Owens-Ford Company at the East Toledo & Rossford plants for 30 years retiring in 2000. He had also worked for JBI Corp. of Genoa for many years. Gary was a 1969 graduate of the Genoa Area Local High School, a member of the Moose Lodge in Fremont, Ohio, and a past volunteer firefighter for the former Clay-Genoa Vol. Fire Dept., now known as the ACJFD. In his free time Gary enjoyed hunting, playing cards, shooting pool, gambling, traveling, and deep sea fishing in the Florida Keys. His favorite pastime, however, was spending time with his family and friends. He could frequently be found at Rayz Café in Genoa surrounded by those he cared for and those who cared for him. Gary's survivors include his children, Barbara J. (Dennis) Mazur, Jr. and Jamie A. Brooks, grandchildren, Zachary and Kayla Mazur, great-grandson, Tayden Phillip, siblings, Carol (Jeff) Rice, Bill (Becky) Brooks, Tim (Andrea) Brooks, sister-in-law, Laura Brooks, and his special friend, Carol. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Ted and David Brooks. After encouragement from his family and at his request, Gary made an anatomical gift to the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Erik Pioro, for research into ALS – Lou Gehrig's disease. There will be a celebration of Gary's life on Saturday, July 16, 2011, at the Genoa Fire Hall, 6th Street, Genoa, OH, from 1-4 PM, with a meal starting at 1:30 PM followed by the service at 2:30 PM. The family encourages everyone to come with stories to share! Gary had also requested his body be cremated and that his family privately scatter his ashes at a place special to him. In lieu of flowers, Gary's family encourages memorials to The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, with attention to Barry Winovich Endowed Chair for ALS Research, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195; or the ACJFD (Allen-Clay Joint Fire Dist.) Station #3, 6th Street, Genoa, OH 43430. The Robinson-Walker Funeral Home, 501 West St., Genoa, OH 43430, is assisting the family with arrangements. The Brooks family would like to thank all the staff, home care and inpatient, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their sincere care and compassion shown to Gary while he was in their care. A special thanks, also, to Carol for the comfort and care she provided to Gary. |
