Ralph Howard Brooks, 96, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 1, 2013 at Indian River Estates. He and his wife, Dorothy, have been residents of Vero Beach for almost thirty years, retiring here from Farmington, CT. Born and raised in Syracuse, NY, he proudly served his country in the European theater of World War II and has enjoyed many reunions with his army battalion. Ralph's life long career with Robinson Clay Products Company took him to Bloomfield, NJ, Albany, NY and Hartford, CT. He loved music and sang in church choirs and men's choral groups for many years. After retiring to Vero Beach, Ralph became an active member of the Community Church in Vero Beach, Bent Pine Golf Club, and the Indian River Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Survivors include his childhood sweetheart, wife and traveling companion of seventy years, Dorothy J. Brooks; son and daughter-in-law, Ralph & Mary Brooks of Chicago, IL; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah & William MacLachlan of East Orleans, MA; sister, Patricia Richey of Eagle, ID; brother, Morris Brooks of Fallbrook, CA; and four grandchildren. He also recently welcomed his first great-grandchild. A memorial service will be held at the Community Church of Vero Beach on Saturday, March 9 held at 1:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Ralph's name to the Alzheimer's Association at Alzheimer's Association P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, or online at www.alz.org under "Donate Tributes". Tributes may be made in Ralph's honor directly at http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=82953&fr_id=1060&pg=fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach. Online condolences may be sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.