The great-great grandson of Alfred Brooks, the founder of the old Brooks Dye Works factory in St Werburgh's, has died at the age of 91.
Richard Simon Brooks, known as Simon, was born on March 29, 1931, and was the fifth generation to run the historic dye works and laundry business, which closed in 2007 after 145 years. The site has since been redeveloped into homes by property group Acorn and last year Mr Brooks unveiled a plaque in honour of the former textile factory, which he first visited as a child with his father in the 1930s.
Mr Brooks was born in Henleaze to Richard Clement Brooks and Edith Mary Shellard. He lived in Bristol until the Second World War when his parents divorced and he went to live with an aunt in Shropshire. He attended preparatory school in North Wales and was later educated at Radley College after being awarded a scholarship. On leaving school he joined a firm of chartered accountants, qualifying in 1954.
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He was enlisted under National Service in the Royal Air Force the same year and was commissioned as a pilot officer. After two years, mainly spent abroad, he was discharged. He spent four years in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force until his unit was disbanded.
His focus then turned to the Brooks Dye Works family business. He joined Brooks Service Group (formerly Brooks Dye Works Limited) as company secretary in October 1956, and was appointed a director in January 1961.
He was chair and managing director from April 1973 to March 1991, and then held the post of chair for the next decade. During his time as chair, Mr Brooks steered the company to become a PLC (Brooks Service Group), before retiring in 2001.
During his life, Mr Brooks was also involved in a large number of professional and charitable organisations, and trade associations, including sitting on the board of Bristol United Press and as chair of the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust.
He was also a member of the Dyers Company (Prime Warden 1996-1997) and the Society of Merchant Venturers, which is based in Clifton.
In 1959 he married his wife, Helen, and they have three children - Vicky, Emma and Adam - and eight grandchildren.
He died peacefully at home on May 1 surrounded by his family.
A service of thanksgiving is to be held at St Mary's Church, Leigh Woods, Bristol on Monday, June 27, at 11.30am. The family has requested no flowers please, but donations to St Peter's Hospice or Young Bristol.
All enquiries to Thomas Davis Funeral Directors, Southville Lodge, Southville, Bristol, BS31DJ, Tel: 0117 966 3268.
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