Robert J. Brooks

Robert J. "Bob" Brooks 88, of Johnston died peacefully in his sleep on Friday January 19, 2024.  He was the beloved husband of Hannah Brooks, to whom he was married to for 63 years.   Bob was born in Cranston and was the son of  the late Victor J. and Helen (Roberts) Brooks. Bob was the eight born of their nine children.  He lived with his family in Providence for many years before moving to Johnston.

Bob lived an interesting and well-rounded life. He enjoyed music of all kinds, a good book, telling stories, and he always had a good joke to tell at the right time.  He enjoyed a good conversation or debate and loved to hear the latest news from family and friends. He was also a gifted singer and served for many years as the cantor at St. Anthony’s Church. He will be dearly missed as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.  He was a parishioner at St. Robert Bellarmine Church.

Besides his wife, Bob is survived by his beloved children Robert and wife Melissa, Stephen and Maria, Timothy and wife Jacqueline, Julianne and husband Bernard. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren; Madeleine, Robert, Anthony, Shelby and Kendall Brooks, Ellis and Liam Walls, sister Mary Jane Murphy, sister in-laws Carolynn Russell, JoAnn Brooks and Elizabeth Smith. He was also the “favorite uncle” to dozens of nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Frederick Russell, Elaine Kemble, Florence Presley, Barbara Cowsill, James and Jean Russell and William Brooks.  

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00-7:00pm in The Butterfield Chapel 500 Pontiac Avenue Cranston.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00am in St. Robert Bellarmine Church 1804 Atwood Avenue Johnston.

Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Ann Cemetery Cranston.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Robert Bellarmine Food Pantry C/O the church address above or to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Providence 550 Wickenden Street Providence, RI 02903 or to bgcprov.org