Leo W. Brooks Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Salem, New Hampshire ? Leo W. Brooks, 89, died Thursday May 19, 2011 at the West Roxbury Veterans Hospital. He was born in Lawrence Mass. Nov. 17, 1921. Graduated from Lawrence High School class of 1939. He was the husband of the late Ruth A. Brooks. During World War II Leo served in the Army Air Corps. He was one of the first Americans into France on D Day with the 82nd airborne division. He invaded Southern France from Italy. While in Italy he had an audience with the Pope. He invaded Holland with an army of paratroopers to liberate that country. Dropped paratroopers over the Rhine into Germany. In between combat missions he flew gas to Gen. Patton, evacuated wounded, rushed supplies to the troops. During the battle of the Bulge he was trapped in Belgium trying to rescue American wounded, before capture on Christmas eve and Day. The mission was successful. Leo received the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters the Presidential citation, the European African-Middle Eastern with 7 campaign battle stars, victory medal, and good conduct medal. Leo was discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant at wars end. Mr. Brooks was a sales manager and account executive for Abbott-Treat for 55 years and received citations from the mayor, governor, and congressmen. Mayor Kevin Sullivan declared Dec. 6 1990 ?Leo Brooks Day in Lawrence?. Leo was a captain in the Lawrence Auxiliary Police from 1946 to 1986. He was an usher at Saint Patrick?s Church for many years. He was a life member of the society of manufacturing engineers and their 1970 Chairman. Life member of Methuen council # 4027 Knights of Columbus. American Legion Post # 63 in Salem, New Hampshire. Disabled American Veterans of Salem, NH, the 9th Air Force association, 440th TC command association. For many years Leo and his late wife would enjoy their winters in Florida where she died. Mr. Brooks is survived by his children; David and his wife Madeleine and granddaughter Jaclyn of North Tewksbury, son William and his wife Paula and grandson and granddaughter Christopher and Meaghan and great granddaughter Gianna of Westford, Ma. daughter Lynne Marie White and her husband Kevin and granddaughter Melissa and her husband Eric Burdette and greatgrandson Miles and granddaughter Meredith and her husband A.J. Merriman, and daughter Dianne Miranda and her husband Angelo and granddaughter?s Ashley and Lauren of Westford, Ma. He is survived by his brother Maurice Desruisseau, his sister Doris Morache, and is predeceased by brothers and sisters the late Harold Brooks, Viola Giles, Gertrude Verner and Irene Bernard. He is survived by a brother-in-law Albert Butterworth of Lawrence and his late wife Helen Marie. He leaves many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday morning at 9 o?clock in Saint Patrick?s Church in South Lawrence with entombment to follow in St. Mary-Immaculate Conception Mausoleum in Lawrence. Friends will be warmly received on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Inc. 233 Lawrence Street in Methuen Memorials may be made to the VA Boston Healthcare System 1400 VFW Parkway West Roxbury, Ma. 02132.

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Leo W. Brooks