Michael Brooks, Former Sullivan County Legislator, Dies at 66

Former Sullivan County Legislator Michael Brooks has died on March 30. He was 66 years old.

A longtime resident of Grahamsville, former school board member, and former county legislature vice chair, Brooks dedicated his life to public service.

He represented Sullivan County’s District 3 from 2020 to 2023, serving the residents of Liberty, Rockland, and Neversink. Brooks also served as a school board member for the Tri-Valley Central School District for twelve years, including as school board president for four years.

Facebook posts and his online obituary were flooded with comments describing Brooks’ character and shared memories. On a Facebook post in memory of Brooks, one commentator said that Brooks was “a great friend. A man of conviction who was willing to take the heat for what he thought was right. All I ever need to know about a person is to know what they thought of Mike Brooks. It says it all.”

District 5 Legislator Cat Scott opened the April 3 committee meetings with a moment of silence for Brooks. District 3 Legislator Brian McPhillips vacated his seat during committee meetings in memory of Brooks.

“Mike was a very compassionate man about his family and community,” said Scott. “Of all things as a Legislator, we would like to say that Mike was most passionate about the broadband project. Rest in peace, Michael Brooks, you will truly be missed.”

While serving as legislator, Brooks oversaw the Broadband Local Development Corporation as part of the county’s efforts to provide countywide wireless broadband services to underserved communities. During the COVID pandemic, Brooks hosted several virtual town halls in 2020 to update residents on the county’s efforts to combat the pandemic and answer questions from the public.

A memorial service was held on April 3 at the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne, New York. He is survived by his wife, Donna Brooks, and many other family relatives.

Image: Michael Brooks, Former Sullivan County Legislator. (Credit: Sullivan County Government)