Gordon Edward Brooks

Robbinston – Gordon Edward Brooks, 95, passed away Friday, February 12, 2010 at his home with his loving family by his side. Eddie was born in Robbinston on January 10, 1915, son of the late Gordon and Anna (Nelson) Brooks. He became an orphan at an early age and was raised by his uncle Charles in South Orange, NJ, who taught Eddie the mechanic trade. At the age of 19, Eddie returned home to Robbinston and built his own garage from logs when there was only one car in town. His business grew steadily throughout, not by advertising but word of mouth. He never advertised his business in papers, on the radio or television but was never without clients. If a motorist stopped at Brooks’ Garage, it would be very surprising if Eddie didn’t have the part needed to get the vehicle back on the road; since he kept every part he came across and tried to use every one of them. If he didn’t have the part there was no need to worry, he’d get it. Eddie would even give them money for a bus or train ticket to get them home until the part came in. In 1974 he was featured on the C.B.S. Saturday Nightly News with Dan Rather. The C.B.S. film crew spent three days filming Eddie working in and around his garage. In the same year he was also featured in the Christian Science Monitor Article and Photograph about being known for miles around as the “world’s last honest mechanic.” Eddie also was interviewed by several newspapers and radio including WABI, St. Croix Courier, Maine Public Broadcasting and others both locally, nationally and even Captain Kangaroo. The garage is still open today, being operated by his son Nelson. On his farm Eddie raised a healthy crop of rusty machine parts and repaired anything from bulldozers to tricycles. He enjoyed spending his life doing what he enjoyed. The tales of his abilities are legendary and there are scores of Eddie Brooks’ stories floating around. He was guest of honor to an open house where relatives, friends and customers stopped by to congratulate, thank and praise him for his many years of dedicated and honest service. He also was guest of honor to a celebration given to him by the Ageless Wonders in Rustburg, VA for the work he did on their tour bus. With all the stress that comes in being self employed, Eddie never swore or took the Lord’s name in vain. He was a member of the Sewall Memorial Congregational Church, Owl Head Transportation, Robbinston Grange #443 as well as the State and National Grange, and enjoyed volunteering with the 4-H Club. Surviving are his loving wife Helen (Murphy) Brooks; children, Sherry Sivret and her husband Rev. David of Calais; Mary Crossman and her husband Elton of Robbinston; Martha Cox of East Machias; Linda Nighman and her husband Marc of Mount Desert Island; Tammy Ramsdell and her husband James of Pembroke; Helen Louise Clark and her husband John of Baileyville; Norman Brooks and his wife Lisa of Robbinston; Nelson Brooks and his fiancé Sheila Denbow of Perry; and his “4-H Daughter”, Yorlendy Mendez of Costa Rica. Grandchildren, Sarah and Todd Walters; Elizabeth and Kevin Rollins; Jonathan and Rachelle Brooks; Jessica and Jamey Gower; Elton and Ida Crossman II; Joshua and Leah Ramsdell; Jason and Megan Ramsdell; Katherine, David II and Hannah Sivret, Amanda Brooks; Rosena and David Crossman; Rebekah and Andrew Cox; James, and Jeffrey Ramsdell, Amber Gutierrez, Myka and Garrett Clark, Kyle Sansoucie, Wesley and Samuel Brooks; Chris Newman, Brian Denbow and Courtney Brooks; and Abner Mendez. Great-grandchildren, Jacob and Zachary Gower; Mia, Anneleise and Quinn Rollins; Chloe and Cara Brooks; Brianna Crossman, David and Lucas Ramsdell; Joshua Sivret; Kira and Colin Walters; and his faithful canine companion of twelve years, Rascal. Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Brooks’ Garage, Route 1, Robbinston, where a celebration of Eddie’s life will be held 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. A private burial will follow in the Brewer Cemetery. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Homes, Calais & Eastport.


Memorials:
Donations in Eddie’s memory may be made to the Robbinston Grange #443, c/o 440 US Route 1, Robbinston, ME 04671.


Cemetery:
Brewer Cemetery
#3 Road
Robbinston, ME 04671 (map/driving directions)