Read Brook

Brook, Read Edward

Read Edward Brook died on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at home in Ottawa.  His family was there to support him.

Read was born on November 6, 1917 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Edward and Mary (Anderson) Brook.  One of the joys of his early life was his younger sister Helen.  Read was married to Florence (Haines) Brook.  Their two daughters, Geraldine (John) Storr and Corrine (Brent) Brook-Allred will dearly miss his laughter, his wisdom, and his patience. He is survived by his wife, Birgit (Hartig), who gave substance to the marriage vows of ‘in sickness and in health’ during Read’s last years.

Read’s life was one of many distinctions.  In mid-1940, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served overseas in many theatres as an administrative officer. As a career officer with the RCAF, he served with United Nations Emergency Forces in the Sinai in 1958-59.  In 1988 the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to United Nations Peacekeeping Forces who had served from 1948 to 1988, and Read was a member of that cohort.  After retirement from the RCAF with the rank of Squadron Leader, Read joined External Affairs, Canada.  Here, he served Canada again in several different countries.

Upon his retirement from External Affairs, Read worked with the Canadian Citizenship Foundation.  He was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, 480 Westboro Branch, serving for many years as Secretary of the Branch.  For his contributions, he was an Honourary Life Member.

From his accomplishments, it was obvious that Read was an active Canadian citizen.  Until days before his death, he read widely and loved to have political discussions with Birgit, and his daughters and their partners.  Read was a Frank Sinatra buff, read widely about the U.S. Civil War, and loved trains (and beagles and basset hounds!).

Read is survived by his four grandchildren: Katrina (Jon) Storr-Stronach and their two sons (Cameron and Kyle); Cindy (Eric) Powell and their two children (Luke and Florence); Tamara Brook-Allred (Lou Sorichetti) and their three children (Delaney, Dylan, and Sophia); and Trevor and his two daughters (Kadence and Leah).

He is also survived by his sister, Barb (Giggs).

To all of us, his sense of humour, his curiosity, his fondness for travelling, and his love of learning were priceless.

Read was deeply appreciative of the care and support that he received from the Champlain LHIN and Bayshore Home Health, especially Kristina, his PSW for the last few months.  The support and visits from his physician, Dr. Sjaan Gerth, were truly valued.  Birgit, Geraldine, and Corrine also wish to thank the coordinators from the Champlain LHIN for their compassion and all-out efforts to make end-of-life as rich as possible.

A private family celebration was held at home with all of Read’s immediate family.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.   A Private burial will take place at a later date.