Barry B. Brooks Sr.

East Longmeadow -
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Father-in-Law, Great-Grandfather passed away quietly on Monday, October 2, 2023, at the Reserve at East Longmeadow. He was 81.

Born January 14, 1942, in Washington, DC to George H. Brooks and Bernita V. (Rhodes) Brooks, he was their only child. Barry was an activist, guidance counselor, educator, coach, and mentor for most of his adult life. He began his career in Washington, DC in 1961, continuing to Springfield, MA, Warehouse Point, East Windsor, CT and UMASS Amherst to his most revered time at Amherst Regional Junior High School, now known as Amherst Middle School, finishing his career at Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA in 2018.

Barry was a former co-director at the Amherst ABC House, original member of The Black Men of Greater Springfield, a volunteer DJ on STCC (Springfield Technical Community College), founder of “The Group”, a summer camp for young men from all backgrounds, and many more.

He loved taking pictures, being at the beach and spending time with friends and family. He will be missed by his daughter Bonnie B. Anderson and her husband Shelbert T. Anderson, Jr. of Springfield, his son Barry B. Brooks, Jr. and his wife Mellisa Brooks of Amherst and Shawna M. Cobb of Springfield, whom he loved like a daughter. He will always be honored by his grandchildren Christopher W. Brooks and Cornell E. Brooks- Robbins, his step-grandchildren Shelbe M. Anderson and Shelbert V. Anderson and his great-granddaughter Marley V. Brooks, all of Springfield.

A celebration of Life will take place Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 2 PM at the Amherst Middle School Auditorium, 170 Chestnut Street. Amherst, MA. followed by a reception in the Middle School Café.

New England Funeral & Cremation Center, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Barry’s memorial page at www.nefcc.net . for expressions of sympathy.