Gordon John Brooks
September 11, 1950 - October 1, 2020
Suddenly and unexpectedly with his family by his side, at University Hospital in London ON, on Thursday October 1, 2020, at the age of 70. Forever loved by his wife Beth for over 44 years. Loving father of Bryan (Andrea), Cindy, Jennifer and Rachel (Brian). Proud Papa of Benjamin, Karissa, Keira, Matthew, Nicholas (Emma), Sarah, Emily, Matti, Taylor, Tyson and great granddaughter Sadie. Sadly missed by his mother Betty, his sisters Louise, Pam, Debbie and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Predeceased by his father Edward and brother Paul.
Gord had a professional hockey career in the OHL, NHL, NAHL and AHL and then worked for London Hydro for 32 years. He enjoyed summers playing baseball with the Ted Dilts team with whom he created long lasting friendships. During retirement he enjoyed golfing, fishing, and helping his many neighbours. His most treasured moments were spending time with his grandkids making memories.
Gord Brooks was born in Cobourg on September 11, 1950 and has the distinction of being Cobourg’s first National Hockey League player. He played his minor hockey with the Cobourg Church Hockey League and spent the 1967-68 season with Cobourg’s Junior ‘B’ Cougars. Gord played his major Junior ‘A’ years with the Hamilton Red Wings and the London Knights. At the end of the 1969-70 season, Gord Brooks was drafted 51st overall by the St. Louis Blues and spent his first professional season with their farm team, the Kansas City Blues. From 1971 to 1975, Gordie played 70 National Hockey League games with both the St. Louis Blues and the Washington Capitals.
From 1975 to 1980, he played in the North American Hockey League and the American Hockey League where he truly made a name for himself. He played for both the Philadelphia Firebirds and Syracuse Firebirds. In 1977, his team won the Lockhart Cup as American Hockey League champions. In 1978, Gord won the John B. Sollenberger trophy as the American Hockey League’s scoring champion and was named to the League’s first All-star team. In 1980, he played part of a season in Klagenfurt, Austria until a knee injury forced him out. The next year he joined the Saginaw Gears winning an international league championship. Two years after retiring as a pro, he came back to play Senior hockey for Brantford, winning an Allan Cup.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at NORTHVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 1490 Highbury Avenue North, London, where the funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Registration is required to attend the visitation and funeral service. Please click the RSVP link to the left of the obituary. The funeral service will be streamed online for those not able to attend in person. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Gord are asked to consider The Heart and Stroke Foundation or St. Joseph’s Hospice, London.
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Our deepest condolences to Beth and all the family. We'd often meet up with Gord and Beth on our neighborhood walks with our grand kids. We shared many lively conversations full of laughter and there were chocolate chip cookies for the grand kids to enjoy. Beth and Gord were also our neighbors at Home County Folk Festival craft show. He was kind and light hearted and they were always ready to lend a hand setting up or watch your booth when needed. We will certainly miss the warmth and charm of his character. May God bless. Paula and Don Robertson
Beth I am so sorry to hear of Gord's passing, we had many good times together, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Dave Cummins
Dear Beth and Family Gord was such an incredibly generous and kind person. Not just the big things - helping spread the word when our cat Rhett snuck out ("don't worry, we'll get the little guy back! I'll tell everyone I see to keep an eye out"), making sure the fence that the great wind storm of 2020 knocked down was replaced - but the little things too. The ever-friendly smile and wave and just stopping by to say hello. Thanks for sharing him with the neighbourhood. He will be greatly missed by everyone Geoff & Heather
Beth and family, So sorry to hear about Gordy. Played seven seasons with him and he was the best right winger I ever had. Really glad we had the Firebirds reunion in 2017. The stories and memories were great to hear again and Beth the scrapbook you made for the guys was incredible. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. BC and Ginger
Beth, hi this is Marcia Norstrom, Kindra's mother. I just wanted to tell you how sorry it was to hear of your loss. Love and prayers for you and your family to get through this difficult time.
My deepest sympathy from an old Philly Firebirds fan-- bruce severn levittown pa
Beth & family: Heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of Gordie - many good memories of his coaching and playing days with the Exeter Mohawks Senior hockey team. Sincerely, John Pryde
Dear Beth and Family; My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I worked with Gord for many years, and he became a great friend not only to myself, but anyone who knew and worked with him at London Hydro. He was the most loving, caring and kind person with a huge heart. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He adored his family and spoke of you all often. I'm so sorry for the sorrow you are going through, as losing Gord is such a great loss. I will miss him dearly! Janet Jesson
I remember watching Gord play with the Philadelphia Firebirds and he was an excellent player. R.I.P. Gord Brooks! And prayers to his Family.
Our sincerest condolences and deepest sympathy to Beth and family and to the Brooks family. Gord was like a brother to us growing up. We have so many fond members of Gord and the Brooks family. They were our second family. Always in our thoughts and hearts, Brenda and the entire Morrow Family
I worked with Gord at London Hydro for over 30 years. Great guy, very devoted to his family especially his grandkids. I am so very sorry for your loss. I know how devastating this is for you Beth and your family. You are in my thoughts
In grateful thanks for Gord’s friendship. The neighbourhood will not be the same without him.
Our sincere condolences on the loss of Gord.a dear husband, Dad, and Papa..wrap up in warm memories.
Dear Brooks and France families, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies for your loss.
So sorry and sad to hear of the sudden passing of Gord. Thinking of you with fond memories.
A good man with a big heart, will be missed
So sorry to hear about Gordie. Please accept our warmest condolences Gord and Jan
Our sincere condolences to the Brooks family. Barb & Betty Lou Haldane Peter Klein
(Donated to St. Joseph's Hospice London)
(Donated to St. Joseph's Hospice London)
(Donated to St. Joseph's Hospice London)
(Donated to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada)
Gord will live forever in our hearts, our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
We would like to send our condolences to the family for the loss of this fun and energetic soul. As hockey moms, we loved hearing his stories about the NHL and his recollections of those times on the ice. We are very sorry to hear he has passed. Nancy and Patrice (Physiotherapy, UH)
So sorry to hear about Gord's passing. He always scored key goals for the Philadelphia Firebirds with his cannon slap shot and made Philly proud by hoisting the Lockhart Cup in 1976. I watched many games at the Civic Center in my grade school years. He will always be a Champion and an inspiration. Many prayers to the Brooks family.
Gordie is fondly remembered by me as a fun childhood friend. Gordie, Louise, Philip and I (Tish) shared many fun times playing on Burnham Street back when kids played outside until the street lights came on. My condolences to the family.
Dear Beth, My sincere condolences to you and your family on the recent terrible loss of Gordie. I remember Gord as a nice man and, of course, a very good-looking fellow! May the comforting arms of close friends and family surround and help you through this very difficult time. Cathy Wellesley
Dear Beth, We were shocked at the news of Gordie. I have many great memories of him, you and your beautiful daughters Jennifer and Rachel. The one memory of Gord was having the pleasure of meeting and playing a few years on the Ted Dilt's fastball team beside him. Being the youngest on the team I would get a little to competitive and a little rangy followed by making bad decisions on the field. Gordie knew how to control me, he always sat me down and told me.....''You remind me of me kid when I was in my 20's don't beat yourself up get out there and lets go'' Just from that low toned voice, his presence, and looking straight at me made me a better player but mostly a better person, I will never forget those words from him. RIP Gordo Beth, Jennifer and Rachel, Memories live on forever and ever, just like mine does. Please know that you have our deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. Roger & Deanne Reed
Beth and Family I was sorry to hear to of the passing of Gord, he was a good man with an easy smile and always willing to lend a hand to many neighbors, of which I was lucky enough to be one. You have my deepest and most sincere sympathy. Susan Randol ( Barr)
Dear Beth and family, It sure made me sad to see this. Gord was a good man. I am so very sorry for your loss.
I used to yell "Get a hattrick Gordie!" at the start of every Phila. Firebirds game. He was such a nice man. He seemed genuinely surprised and touched when my mom gave him a needlepoint of a hockey player. The great number 9! During the last game in Philadelphia, he pretended to break a stick so he could autograph it and give it to me. I still have that stick over 40 years later. He will be missed. Get a hattrick Gordie!
Dear Beth and family, Gord is gone way too soon. We will miss our neighbourhood watch guy, the person who spoke to everyone who walked by his house. Who will keep tabs on things. Gord was always willing to help, he was a friend. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Judy Howard
Brooks Family Sorry to hear of Gord's passing .... had the chance to chat & laugh with Gord at Cobourg Hometown hockey and the Cougars 50th reunion ... reliving old memories of "did you know" and where has the time gone "grey hair & all" Thoughts & prayers are with you
So sorry to read of Gord's passing. Played some hockey with Gord. He was a GOOD hockey player and a great guy. My condolences to the family. Paul Sherwin
Dear Beth and Family, Please know how much I am thinking of you as you mourn the loss of this wonderful man. I see you are blessed with a big and loving family, and they will be working very hard to hold each other up in the coming weeks and months. Even though I have not seen you for decades, I just want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you, Beth Jennings. With sincerest sympathy, Wendy (Campbell) Allen
I am so sorry for your loss. Hope God gives you and your family strength to get through this hard times. May his soul rest in peace. I worked with him at London Hydro, he was a wonderful man.
Dear Beth and family Gord was a great friend and neighbor. We did alot together over the years, played hockey with him, always over in my shop with a few laughs getting wood machined and of course our trio fish outings with myself, jimmy and gordo, we caught alot of fish over the years and had lots of laughs and a few beverages after. Wow we will all miss this legend of a great guy and neighborhood ambassador. He was a true legend and we will all miss him terribly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Steve and Loree Kay and family
Dear Beth and family....there are no words that we can share with you to ease this heartache . Gord was a wonderful man and a true gentleman and will be dearly missed. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal . Love leaves a memory no one can steal. Cherish your wonderful memories. Thinking of you during this difficult time. Cal and Susan .
Gord was one of our neighbourhoods most kindest and generous persons. He was adored by my two grandsons as he was always doing something nice for them. They loved that he played hockey in the NHL as that is their game! Both of the boys have an autographed picture of him in their bedrooms! He will be forever missed by my family! RIP Gord and fly high with the angels! ❤️
RIP, Brooksie. The Philadelphia Firebirds are a huge part of my childhood. You, Bob Collyard and Randy Osburn, "The NHL Line" were something to behold. Aside from your play on the ice, you and BC meant something extra special to me, as your sweater numbers, 9 & 14...make up my birthday -- a big deal for an 11 year old boy! Whenever I am in public wearing one of my Firebirds jerseys, I'm always stopped by somebody who remembers the team. The Firebirds are part of my email address. You're all a part of the greatest memories a boy from Philadelphia, growing up in the 1970s can have. Thank you, and as Gene Hart use to say, "Good night and good hockey." RIP #9
Beth, we are so sad for you and your family’s loss. Gord will truly be missed at our get togethers. Love to you and your family
Dear Beth, Jennifer and all families, I am so sorry to hear of Gord's death. I remember Gord when he would pick up Jenn from my house when I babysat her in the 80s. My daughter, Karen, and I have fond memories of you, Jenn. Remember all the good times you had with Gord. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at such a difficult time. Win
Beth and Family, Please accept our deepest condolences. Having lived in Cobourg my entire life I am well aware of Gord's amazing career. We briefly met with you and Gord when you were in Cobourg for Hometown Hockey. If my memory serves me correctly you were with Louise and Deb, Louise introduced us and we exchanged pleasantries. Louise use to babysit our girls after school. That was many moons ago! My wife Lillian and I have known the Brooks family here in Cobourg for many years. Again, to you and the entire Brooks family please accept our deepest condolences. Sincerely, Brian & Lillian Darling
So very sorry to hear of the passing of Gordie.He was a genuinely nice guy and i have very fond memories from hockey.My condolences to the Brooks family. Bev Bowers
Beth, Jennifer, Rachel and all the grandchildren. We share many great memories with Gord. Our sincere sympathy to you and look forward when we can get together again. It is with much sadness that the current situation prevented me from being there in person today, but know my thoughts and tears were with you all as we watched the service online in Vancouver. It was very special and Gord truly had a heart of gold. Love Gwen and Dave
Dear Beth and family Nobody could tell a story or make you laugh the way Gord could, really glad we had the reunion for the Firebirds. Beth are thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. regards to all Doug & Debbie Ferguson
Our sincere condolences to Beth Brook & all the Brooks family. Heart goes out to all of you God Bless
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I just recently found out about the passing of Gord. So sad and surprised to hear this news. I knew Gord when he worked for London Hydro and played hockey against Brooksie during his Sr A days in Exeter. He was probably 10 years older than all of the guys playing Sr A in the mid 90s but was alway the best player on the ice. More important than Brooksie’s hockey accolades he was a great person. Always willing to listen/give good advice, and treated people with respect/kindness. RIP Gord, you will be missed but never forgotten.
~ Tim Duff