Gerard “Jerry” Brooker — longtime chair of the Staples High School English Department, and an avid social justice advocate — died peacefully on New Year’s Day, surrounded by family. He was 84 years old, and lived in Bethel.
The Queens native earned a doctorate in education. He spent over 4 decades as an educator, the last 25 as chair at Staples.
Dr. Jerry Brooker
His passions were children in need, and the promotion of peace. While at Staples, he was involved in hunger issues. In 1988 he led a student trip to Russia, which included meetings with counterparts there.
After retiring, Dr. Brooker continued his passion for education, traveling, and writing. He set foot on all 7 continents.
He also enjoyed watching nature, entertaining, being with family and friends, reading, and sharing his joy of life.
He was predeceased by his brothers Kenneth, Robert and Wallace, and sisters Joan and Gertrude, and infant Eileen. He is survived by his sister Eileen Olm (Bill); his wife Sheila; his children and their spouses Jessica (Jamie) Couture, Suzanne (David) Remington, Kevin (Jill), Jay (Jennifer) and David Brooker; 9 grandchildren, 2 great-granddaughters, and his beloved nieces and nephews.
Due to the pandemic, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
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Dan,
Thank you for now publishing obituaries; without westportnow, there is no other source.
I didn’t have the privilege of going to Staples, even though our property abutted it, as we moved after 8th grade, so I didn’t have Dr. Brooker.
One thing I notice in the obituaries of our teachers and town employees is that few of them live in Westport. My 5th grade teacher, Annette Fournier, also lived in Bethel. I remember I didn’t go into teaching because the cars in the student parking lot were nicer than the cars in the faculty parking lot., even when the teachers are relatively well paid. It would be nice if we could develop housing for teachers and town employees so they could live in town.
He was a good man
One of my favorite teachers – Class of 1985
He wrote a glowing college recommendation that I am so grateful for.