Geoffrey Alan Brooke Sr

4/1/56-8/7/2023

Preceded in death by his beloved parents Clement E. Brooke MD & Emily Davis Brooke, brother Clement E. Brooke III & sister Alison Brooke Bunte.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years Antoinette M. Brooke. Adored children Geoffrey A. Brooke Jr. & Emily A. Brooke and sister Wendy A. Brooke; niece Claudia Brooke Miller and her children, nephews Alex A. Bunte and Craig M. Bunte. He also was close to brothers and sisters-in law, many nieces and nephews (and their sequelae) on his wife’s side. Not to forget his remaining sweet feline companion, Sat Mai.

Born and raised in Columbia, Mo., his passion for learning was ignited at a young age, following in the footsteps of his three older siblings whom he looked up to through their journey through the halls of the MU Lab School.

After undergraduate years at the University of Chicago and Mizzou, he went off to Yale to study his beloved lemurs, where instead he met his true beloved, Antoinette, the love of his life, whom he married in 1981. For over 42 years they remained best friends, each a rock for the other.

Newly married and back in Missouri, he was able to use his supreme intellect to pursue a new passion, wine. He would end up spending over 35 years in the industry, learning every day, always searching for the next 99 pt wine, making many friends along the journey.

During this time his two children were born. From the very beginning he was fiercely protective and loyal, accompanying both through all their pursuits and passions throughout life. They were his joy and he theirs.

Later he moved to New Jersey to be closer to his wife’s family, which afforded the opportunity to travel the world for both wine and other cultural pleasures.

In his later years he reignited his childhood talent of woodworking, which he first learned alongside his father. He enjoyed crafting various household cabinets, spice racks, and naturally a wine rack for his daughter.

His own children, as well as nieces and nephews afforded him the chance to pass on his life-long love of learning, always willing to engage in a challenging and thought-provoking conversation on a wide array of subject matters. His family and friends also benefitted from this same unselfish desire to share knowledge, whether they were ready or not, always with a touch of wit and dry humor.

Despite his strong will to live, after many years battling numerous illnesses, he passed away peacefully in the arms of his wife, children and sister.

In lieu of flowers and if you should wish to do so please consider donating to the Duke Lemur Center to honor his long lasting love for the lemurs of Madagascar.

Support the Duke Lemur Center - Duke Lemur Center

https://lemur.duke.edu/donate…

His family is planning a Celebration of Life later. Details to be provided in the future.

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