Ronald P. Brooks

Ron knew that true wealth was when a man’s children run into his arms when they are empty. His passion for sports may well have been an excuse to spend time with his kids. He never missed a game, coached anything he could and took them to every professional game he could. As a coach he became a father figure to the neighborhood. No matter how checkered a child’s past, he could find the good in them. Ron would take a hotdog at the ballpark over a meal at the Ritz any day. He suffered with the Eagles, never missed the Flyers and loved the Phillies. But when he had two tickets to the World Series celebration, he gave them to his daughter and grandson. He simply got more joy seeing them enjoy themselves. His nearly 30 years with CIGNA saw many long days, but retirement was no time to loaf. His days were filled spending time with his grandchildren, going to Clearwater, FL with his dad, tending to his garden, and spoiling his golden retriever, Chase. rnWhile attending BCC in the early 70s, he was lucky enough to meet a young woman named Melinda (nee Shoaf). Some might think it a bit rushed to be engaged 3 months later. A 38 year marriage certainly proved otherwise. They’re lives were infinitely blessed by their children: Kim Brooks (Shawn Sullivan) of Collingswood, and Kristen of Delanco, and again by their grandchildren: Jimmy, Zoe and Finn. He is the son of Paul “Kell” of DE and the late Charlotte, and is survived by his sister Pam Whitehouse (Mario Tatom) of Riverside and her 3 children, and his sister-in-law Karen Gauntt (Ron) of Mt. Laurel and her 3 children, as well as 2 great-nieces and a great nephew.rnCome celebrate 58 Phillies-rooting years Saturday from 9 AM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside, where the service will be at 11. Interment private. Nothing was more important to Ron than his grandchildren, so in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made toward their education at “Delanco Federal Savings Bank” 615 Burlington Ave., Delanco, NJ 08075.rn