Joseph M. Brooks Print
Joseph M. Brooks

Beloved husband, brother, step-father and friend

 

Joseph M. Brooks, 68, a member of a well-known Greater Lowell family, passed away Tuesday August 11, 2020 at Lowell General Hospital with his family by his side.

He was the loving husband of Michele (Fantasia) Brooks, whom he married on Friday August 7, 2020, after sharing over 30 years of life together.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, February 3, 1952, he was a son of the late Gardner F. and the late Helen T. (Mangan) Brooks.

Joe attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School Class of 1969 where he was Co-Captain of the varsity basketball team.

Prior to his retirement in 2010, after 32 years of service, Joe was a Sergeant and Correctional Officer with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department in Billerica and served as the Head of the Recreational Department.

In addition, he was a bartender at Cappy’s Copper Kettle in Lowell for many years.

Joe was very active in and loved all sports. He was a longtime umpire with the American Softball Association and also served as a referee for regional varsity high school basketball games for many years.

A season ticket holder for the Celtics and Patriots, he attended many of Bob Cousy summer basketball camps in Pittsfield, NH and was also a member of the BoSox Club.

Joe was a talented sports statistician, spending many hours at Shedd Park with friends, and enjoying his passion for all sports.

He also enjoyed vacationing in Las Vegas, Saratoga, Florida and Wells, Maine with family and friends.

Besides his wife, Joe is survived by his two sisters Allyson Carling and her husband Gary of Westford and Laurel Kapala and her husband Dick of Lowell; a step-son Evan Fantasia of Haverhill; several cousins and many friends.

He was also the stepfather of the late Ashleigh Higson.

Due to Covid 19 restrictions, all services were held privately for the family. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the Jimmy Fund, c/o Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave. West, Boston, MA 02215 or https://dana-farber.org/. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL- MA (978) 458-8768.

Condolences (13)
  • James “chick” Chandler  - Joe
    Allyson and Laurel. I am so sorry for your loss. I have found memories of playing on the same baseball team with Joe. You, your Mom and Laurel were at every game. Joe was a fun person to be around. God Bless Jim Chandler
  • Tony Difraia
    Very sorry to hear of this news on the passing of Joe. Joe was a great mentor to me as a basketball official and Board 95 member for many years. He will be missed.
  • Mike Flynn  - Sorry to hear the news
    To Laurel and Dick and all of Joe's family and extended family, Manuela and I are sorry to hear the news of Joey's passing. All the best to Joey's whole crew.
  • John Regan  - RIP JOE
    Joe Brooks, Brooksie, So sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was always an up beat guy, a pleasure to be around, he'll be missed RIP.
  • DonnalynSullivan  - To the family of Joe Brooks
    I am so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was a friend and co-worker at the MSO. In the early days, Joe would host Christmas parties for the department up at Cappy's Copper Kettle and I attended many, always remembering fun times spent with co-workers at the best time of the year. Joe was a very nice man and I want to extend my sincere condolences to his family for their painful loss. I am sending healing prayers to his family. God Bless Joe and may he rest in eternal peace.
  • Paul and Margaret Norton  - Joe Brooks
    We both worked with Joey at the Billerica House Of Correction. Joe was an original. Very old school and fiercely loyal to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace My Man Paul and Margaret
  • Joan and George Tsoukalas
    Dear Allyson and Family, So sorry for your loss. May Joe's memory be eternal. Joan and George Tsoukalas
  • Brian Gendron  - Deepest sympathies
    Laurel and family My deepest condolences Joeys passing, he was a great kid growing up and a great man in life. May he Rest In Peace.
  • Paul and Margaret Norton  - Joe Brooks Simply The Best
    Worked with Joey for many years at the Billerica House Of Correction. You will never find a more loyal and fun loving cat than Joey Brooks. We will cherish the memories which will bring a smile to my face, for Joey was always smiling. R.I.P. my man, you were the Real Deal. Paul and Margaret
  • Ralph Murray  - Co-worker
    Joe R.I.P.
  • Frank Fergola  - We will all miss Joe...
    One of the nicest gentlemen I ever had the pleasure to work with... Anywhere! Not just at Middlesex. First time he met me at the Sheriff's Office he said "You're the hockey ref!" From that day on every time we talked sports we shared Officiating stories from games we had worked. Great guy! RIP Joe...God Bless!
  • Joe DelGrosso
    Joe + I Worked Together @ the Middlesex County Training School + also later @ The Billerica House of Correction. Always Shared Gambling Info Whether it Be Sports or Horses. Stand up Guy! Rest In Peace!
  • Dennis Scannell  - Joseph Brooks
    Joey was a great kid to grow up with...all we did back then was play sports...if you grew up in Belevidere there was a game every day...we spent our time at SHEDD PARK playing against kids from all over the city...Joey was a great hoop player...if we could not get into a gym we would shovel the snow off a driveway and play outside all winter...he was awesome at the Moody...star of the team from 7th grade on...I got to watch Joey very closely, I rode the pine every game but loved being on the team with such great kids....I always ran into JOEY in the Lowell area since then mostly at sporting events that he enjoyed so much.....I would like to share a funny stories about Joe.....When my daughters were at Lowell High School they both played on the Girls Varsity Basketball Team... They had a home game against Andover on Feb. 3rd...just happened to be Joey's birthday....I mentioned it to My daughter Jennifer and she got together with the visiting team prior...Just as the game was to begin with Joey tossing the ball up....both teams stepped back and sang Happy Birthday to Joey....he looked at me in the stands and knew I had something to do with it...He was a great person and great friend...Best to all family members..
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