Ray Carlton Brooks

Ray attended Athens Elementary & Coxsackie-Athens Schools.

A proud Veteran having served in the U.S. Navy as a Third Class Petty Officer from 1957-1962. Served on USS Forrest B. Royal DD-872 and on the US Rhodes DER-384 on station at the Cuban Missile Crisis and received the National Defense Medal and the Navy Expeditions Medal. Ray was honorably discharged in September 1962.

Following his military service, he worked for NYS as a Stationary Engineer with the Education Dept. in Albany and then with NYS Corrections Dept. as a Plumber/Steamfitter at the Greene’ Correctional Facility-Coxsackie. Ray retired in September 1995 and worked part time as Code Enforcement Officer for the Village of Athens and as “Clerk of the Works” for the new sewer plant district in the Town of Cairo.

Ray was an active member and a leader of many community organizations. He was elected Greene County Legislator for two terms 2003 and 2006 for the Town of Athens, 10-year Commander of T.G.M. Post -187 Athens, 7-year Commander of Lafayette -7 Knights Templar Chairman, Past Master Ark Lodge No. 48 F&AM, Past High Priest Royal Arch Mason Rip Van Winkle Charter, Past President of Greene County Shrine Club, member of Scottish Rite, and member of Athens Republican Committee. Ray spearheaded the Ice Fishing Derby on Greene Lake and the Greene County Youth Activity and Derby Day at Historic Catskill Point.

Ray also served as Commander of the Legion of Honor for Cypress Temple. Under that command, Ray represented the disabled veterans who permanently live in the VA Hospital in Albany. Ray formed an annual luncheon for the veterans, which was held at the Catskill Historic Point. The luncheon was supported by the Greene County Legislature.

Survived by his wife of 44 years, Rose Tucci Brooks; two children Kim Brooks-Ondek of Washington and Leonard Brooks of Florida; two brothers Walter (Kathryn) Brooks of Kinderhook, George Brooks, Sr. of Clifton Park; one sister Karen Brooks (Dennis) Templeton of Catskill; as well as many extended beloved family members; Evelyn Mirasoli, Donna & Gardie VanValkenburg, and Thomas & Diane Herschel, along with many nieces & nephews. Ray is predeceased by his parents, sister Joan and husband Edward Bullis and sister Joyce & husband David Teator.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial gathering on Sunday, February 5th from 2:00 – 6:00 pm at Millspaugh Camerato Funeral Home, 139 Jefferson Hgts., Catskill. A Masonic Ritual will be conducted at 5:00 pm. Inurnment with military honors will take place on Monday, February 6th at 11:00 am in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Catskill.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cyprus Shriners, 9 Frontage Rd, Glenmont, NY 12077 . Messages of condolence may be made to MillspaughCamerato.com.