William D. Crooks Jr.

PITTSBURG, NH — William Donald Crooks, Jr., 87, of Pittsburg, NH, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, at the St. Johnsbury Health & Rehabilitation Center with family by his side after a period of declining health. Bill was born on Aug. 18, 1929, and grew up in Ponca City, Oklahoma, the son of Elva (Leathers) and William D. Crooks, Sr. He was a U.S. Navy transport pilot serving during the Korean War and stationed in Pearl Harbor, HI. After active duty, he served in the Navy Reserve until 1960, retiring as a lieutenant commander. He earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and moved to Connecticut with his wife, Catherine Mary (Tetzlaff) Crooks, where they raised their family. He worked in electrical engineering at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and General Dynamics and in electronic systems sales until 1970. Bill and his family enjoyed vacations in Vermont during the 1960s and relocated to West Burke in 1970. He owned Stony’s, a clothing and sporting goods store in Lyndonville, and was later employed as a production manager by Mardon Industries and Vermont Aerospace Manufacturing in Lyndonville. Bill always looked forward to annual trips to Florida with his partner Jane Paquette, gardening in his yard, woodworking, helping neighbors with their landscaping, and celebrations with family and friends. He is survived by his loving extended family, including his partner Jane Paquette of Pittsburg, NH; his three children: Charles Crooks and his wife Kathleen Brown of Jamaica Plain, MA, Mark Crooks and his wife Linda of Lyndonville, VT, and Anne Amadon and her husband Timothy of Skowhegan, ME; grandchildren Jamie Crooks, Jessica Williams and her husband Justin, Jennifer Ward and her husband Preston, Katy Crooks, Christopher Davis, Stephanie Kenny and her husband John, and Lucas Davis; great-grandchildren Kain and Kara Crooks, Charlotte, Emma, and Maddelyn Williams, and Tenley Davis. He is also survived by his sister Charlene Crooks of Houston, TX, several nieces and nephews, and the family of Jane Paquette, who loved their Uncle Bill. He is predeceased by his parents, his sisters Patricia Goode and Nina Brattain, and the mother of his children, Catherine Crooks. Visiting hours will be held at Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook, NH, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, from 10 am to 12 pm, immediately followed by a memorial service. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Crooks may be made to the Beecher Falls Fire & Rescue, c/o J. Charest, Factory St., Beecher Falls, VT 05902; or to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o R. Mulliken, 53 Spring St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

William D. Crooks Jr.

August 18, 1929 - October 27, 2016