Donald Brooks, 95, was born on November 5, 1930, in Bozman, Maryland. He was the eighth child of the late James Edwin Brooks and Blanche Palmer Brooks. He attended public schools in Talbot County, MD and graduated in June 1948 from Moton High School in Easton, MD.
Donald moved to Connecticut in 1951 and began work as a truck driver for a produce company. He then worked for Southern New England Telephone Company for 25 years in New Haven, CT and retired as Supervisor of Collections. As a dispatcher for Prometheus Pharmacy in Cheshire, CT, Donald coordinated delivery of medical supplies to nursing homes for over 10 years.
Donald was a faithful member of the Mount Hebron Baptist Church in Meriden, CT for many years where he attended Sunday school and Bible study, served on the senior choir and was a member of the Board of Trustees. As a member of the Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hamden, CT, Donald faithfully served on the Board of Trustees, Senior Choir, and Male Chorus and was Building Attendant for many years.
Donald loved sports but preferred baseball; the Baltimore Orioles was his favorite team. His favorite pastime was playing horseshoes with close friends and family. He loved the Word of God and read the Bible daily. One of the scriptures he loved and included in his prayers was Psalm 23.
Donald was predeceased by his former wife, Ermine Brooks; two sons, Donald Edwin Brooks and Kevin Wade Brooks (Susan); three sisters—Iola Adams, Barbara Burton and Elva Brooks; and six brothers—George Brooks, Kenneth Brooks, Joseph Clifton Brooks, Oliver Brooks, Robert Brooks and James Thomas Brooks.
Left to cherish Donald’s memories are his loving children: Tamara Daniels (Ken) of Meriden, Marc Brooks (Antoinette) of Mooresville, NC, and Kenton Brooks of New Haven, CT; Betty Brooks and stepsons, Christopher Brown of Hamden, CT and Edward Brown of Austell, Georgia; 14 wonderful grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, and many devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A celebration of Donald’s life and legacy will be held Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church, 425 Newhall Street, Hamden, CT, followed by burial in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meriden, CT. Family and friends may view at the church from 9:00-10:00 a.m.
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I love my Dad! He did everything for me within reason. In the song Cats In The Cradle: “I’M GONNA BE LIKE HIM YEAH,
YOU KNOW IM GONNA BE HIM”
Rest in Peace, My Friend Don Brooks
Don was one of the funniest, kindest souls I’ve ever known. We worked together at SNET, and he could always make us laugh with his slapstick humor and joyful spirit.
My prayers go out to his children, grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Don loved the Lord and lived every day to the fullest.
God has called him home to his mansion on high. You ran a good race, Don — now rest in glory, my long-time friend.
— Clara (“Juicy”) Tate-Tilley, SNET
Sending my sincerest condolences to the entire family of Don Brooks. I worked with Don for many years at SNET. Don was pleasant, kind and so funny. He was always a perfect gentleman.
Whenever he came into the office to conduct his business for the day, once his orders were processed and completed his vocal expression was always My, My, My. Don worked in the Coin Department at SNET and would frequently share some of the funniest phone booth stories that we all looked forward to hearing and getting a good chuckle out of them.
Don loved his family and spoke of them often. I know he will be missed by all who knew and loved him, but know that God loved him best
Rest in peace, my friend,
Annie Wilkins (SNET)
Psalm116:15
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of one His saints.
Pastor Nathaniel J. Fountain
True Vine Holtness Church Family
398 Main Street
Portland, CT
Uncle Donald was always there, ready to help others. He had a breadth of knowledge as he loved to read, especially his daily scriptures. He had a wonderful sense of humor. His spirit was always positive as he uplifted everyone around him. He was truly was a man of faith. I will miss our conversations, I will miss him. Love you.
Our sincere condolences on the passing of Uncle Donald. He will truly be missed. Blessings of love, peace and comfort as you go through this difficult time. Be encouraged as you encourage others.
Gary and Dale Brooks & Family
To my loving Father in-law who was a great man. He now is in the presence of his family in the kingdom of heaven as he missed them all and was always thinking about them. He was always praying for everyone he loved . I was very blessed to have been part of the family and he always made me feel very special. He will be greatly missed by all and I’m sure he will be looking down from heaven . I love you Dad and may you rest in peace. Tell everyone I love and miss them ,thanks be to god ,AMEN 🙏🙏
Donald was a very nice man he was a good friend of our family the COTTEN family I was his barber at WORTHY’s barbershop. praying for the family.🙏🏾🙏🏾 ( Deacon John E. Cotten Sr.)