The members of Fredonia High School class of 1991 gathered to celebrate their 20th anniversary of graduation last year. In a couple weeks, they will be gathering again to celebrate the memory of a former classmate.
Greg Brooks, 39, was a member of the class of 1991 and recently died as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident in England. Brooks was traveling in a vehicle in Oxford on June 4 with his wife Angela Brooks, sister-in-law Sarah Hughes Pain, her husband Andrew Pain and his father-in-law Stephen J. Hughes.
According to news outlets in England, Andrew was driving and swerved on a wet road to avoid an animal. The vehicle traveled through trees and rolled down an embankment. Gregory, Andrew and Stephen were all killed as a result of the accident. The two women were transported to a nearby hospital. Sarah was released on Thursday and Angela is continuing to recover at a London hospital.
According to the Baltimore Sun, the family was in London to celebrate Sarah and Andrew's March wedding with family who were unable to travel to Maryland for the wedding.
Members of the Class of 1991 are planning a celebration of life for Greg to be held July 7 at the American Legion Post 59, 156 E. Main St., Fredonia. The memorial will start at 7 p.m. and has no set end time. Those attending are asked to bring memories, stories, storyboards and or photos to share with friends and family.
A group of Greg's close friends are helping to organize the memorial to celebrate his life. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to RSVP by June 30 to Tammy Schmitt at 679-8355 or Linda Berek at 467-1554. Greg's parents, Marlene and Joe Brooks who live in North Carolina are donating tribute T-shirts for all those who attend and RSVP.
The T-shirts are yellow and say "A Celebrated Life!" with Greg's name below. A photo of the T-shirt can be found on the Facebook events page at www.facebook.com/events/247406038703051. Those who RSVP after June 30 will not receive a T-shirt but are welcome to attend the celebration of life.
A funeral service is being held Tuesday in Graham, NC, with Greg's parents. Greg's wife, Angela will plan a burial once she is well enough to leave the hospital. A memorial fund has been started in Greg's name. Anyone wishing to donate may do so at Greg Brooks Memorial Fund, c/o Marlene Brooks, 333 North Sellars Mill Road, Burlington, NC 27217. Include a memo line of "Greg Brooks Memorial Fund."
The class of 1991 will also be collecting donations on July 7 for the memorial fund.
Comments on this article may be sent to smcdonnell@observertoday.com.
