| Graduation Year | Class of 1975 |
| Date of Passing | Aug 17, 2013 |
| About | Timothy J. Brooks, 56, of Oak Harbor, passed away peacefully at Hospice of Northwest Ohio Saturday, August 17th, in the company of his family and in the thoughts and prayers of countless family members and friends whose lives were graced with Tim's special touch. Tim was diagnosed with ALS in 2009, a disease which had taken the lives of his mother, Jean Brooks Linden, his brother, Gary Brooks and his cousin Robert Textor. His beloved Aunt Joan Nesteroff continues to live with ALS. Receiving this diagnosis marked the beginning of Tim's brave fight against the progressive nature of this disease. Tim was born on July 15, 1957, in Toledo to Bill and Jean (Wunderley) Brooks and grew up in Genoa. He was a graduate of Genoa High School, Class of 1975. During his junior year at Genoa, Tim was a member of the basketball team that went to the state championship and he was recently honored with a place in the Genoa Area High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Hunting and fishing were lifelong hobbies for Tim. He spent much of his life fishing on Lake Erie and hunting the rural areas of Ohio. He absolutely loved spending time with his fishing and hunting buddies. After his retirement he spent winters at his home in Florida fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. With the help of family and friends, Tim continued to enjoy these pursuits until this spring. The defining characteristics of Tim's life were his deep and abiding love for his family, his loyalty to his friends and a practice of service to others. His children were the light of his life and he energetically participated in their activities. He served as a 4-H advisor, T-Ball and soccer coach. He always had time for any child; willing to teach them to catch a fish or a greased pig! Tim's work ethic was second to none. He began working as a young teen and continued until his retirement. He was a journeyman millwright and worked 28 years at Davis Besse as a radiation protection technician. He was very good at his job and was well respected by his peers. Throughout Tim's life he selflessly gave of himself to others. A central part of Tim's fight against ALS was volunteering to be a part of collaborative research being conducted by the National Institute of Health and the Cleveland Clinic. Tim continues his fight against ALS through his anatomical gift to researchers at the Cleveland Clinic in the hopes that, through this final act, a cure can be found. Tim's family joined in his efforts to find a cure for ALS by forming "Brooks' Crew," a team of family and friends who raise money by participating in the Walk to Defeat ALS on behalf of the ALS Association. Since 2011 the team has raised over $50, 000. Tim's was a life well-lived. He was an honorable man and very loving. He lead by example and deeply loved his family and friends. For those who knew Tim, he was an inspiration. Tim's survivors include his wife of 34 years, Andrea (Appelhans) Brooks, his beloved daughters, Lindsey (Curt) Borjas, Okinawa, Japan and Ashley Brooks (Tim Delp) of Oak Harbor and granddaughter, Juliana Borjas. Tim was predeceased by his parents, brothers, Ted, Gary and David and is survived by sister, Carol (Jeff) Rice of Englewood FL, brother, William (Rebecca) Brooks of Woodville and sister-in-law, Laura Brooks of Curtice. His extended family includes many loving sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews, all of whom had a special place in his heart. The family would like to thank the countless friends, family members, neighbors, doctors, nurses and caregivers who provided so much support, care and help during the last four years. You know who you are and we are so blessed to have been the beneficiaries of your love. A special thank you to Anita Appelhans, Tim Delp, Amanda and Natalie for the dignified manner in which they assisted and cared for Tim in his final months and days. His care was truly a team effort and he was so grateful to all who answered the call for help. A memorial service celebrating Tim's life will be held later this year. Brooks' Crew will be participating in this year's Walk to Defeat ALS on October 6th at the University of Toledo and his family invites all to join them. Memorials in Tim's honor can be made to the ALS Association, Northern Ohio Chapter, 6155 Rockside Road, Suite 403, Independence, OH 44131; or Hospice of NW Ohio, 30000 E. River Rd., Perrysburg, OH 43551. |
