1931 – 2024
Mr. Cecil Arthur Brook of Innisfail, Alberta passed away at the Innisfail Health Care Centre on July 17, 2024 at the age of 92 years. Cecil was born November 4, 1931 in Olds, Alberta to Arthur and Florence nee Morgan Brook and was raised on the family farm in nearby Eagle Hill. He began his education in 1938 at the age of seven at the Eagle Valley School for grades one through four and then attended Eagle Hill School #2 for grades five through nine. He enjoyed riding the four miles to school by horseback during the spring and fall but not so much during the cold months of winter. Cecil attended Sundre High School for grade ten. The travel was time consuming, so the following year, Cecil and his sister Dorothy moved to Olds to attend High School. Dorothy took grades ten and eleven and Cecil took grades eleven and twelve. They lived together in a rental suite built behind a house in Olds, across the street from the school; at a cost of ten dollars a month. To assist with living expensed, Cecil got a job setting pins at the Bowling Alley in Olds for five cents per game.
In grade twelve, Cecil contracted rheumatic fever; it damaged his heart valve and greatly limited his physical activities.
The 1950 – 1951 term, Cecil attended the University of Alberta, Calgary Branch, for his first year of teacher training. Due to contracting the mumps and other circumstances, Cecil did not pass all required courses. He joined the work force, first with an Alberta oil company. Later de drove a gravel truck for a construction company that was building the Penhold airport. He returned to University for the 1952 – 1953 term. He had met his wife, Jean Fyfe in his first year of University. They married on May 30, 1953 both the age of twenty one. Jean was born in Olds on June 2, 1931.
Both now teachers and married; in the fall of 1953, the newlyweds moved to Arthurville District west of Trochu where Jean taught, and Cecil drove daily to teach at Loyalty School near Huxley. Cecil taught grades seven to nine. In 1956 they moved to Torrington, where they both taught for the next two years.
In 1958, the couple moved to Calgary. They purchased a home and Cecil taught Mathematics and Science at Balmoral High School while also taking night and summer school courses to get his Bachelor of Education. He also during this time volunteered with the Cubs, was an AMA driving Instructor and a private tutor. They adopted three boys; Daniel in 1958, Dale in 1960, Randal in 1964 and gave birth to Gaylene in 1965 on Christmas Day.
In 1970, Cecil was appointed Vice Principal at Sir William Laurier Junior High and was there for two years. In 1972, he transferred to R.T. Alderman Junior High and was promoted to Assistant Principal. At this time, the family moved to De Winton on an acreage, Cecil had learned building skills and become quite the craftsman of renovating houses.
In 1982, they purchased a property in Pine Lake, Alberta. After buying and fixing up several properties in Calgary, they were able to give their family a weekend getaway place for the children to enjoy.
In 1986, Cecil had a heart valve replacement. He retired from Colonel Irving School at the end of the school year of 1987. In 1994 they sold the home in Pine Lake where they were living full time since retirement and bought a farm in Andrew, Alberta. On May 24, 1999, Jean passed from a heart attack. In 2002, Cecil sold the farm and bought a house in Innisfail, Alberta. He enjoyed life playing cards, going dancing and gardening. He volunteered his skills to help seniors file taxes and apply for their senior benefits. He also offered rides; mostly to seniors to help them get to their medical appointments and rides to the Calgary Airport.
In 2009, Cecil moved to the Country Manor, an active senior center and in 2022, he was transferred next door to Sunset Manor. A special Thank You to all the staff from both facilities. Cecil would always comment on the wonderful care, fantastic food and all the wonderful people he met over the years.
Cecil will be lovingly remembered by his sons: Dale Brook, Randy (Rebecca) Brook, his daughter, Gaylene Brook, his grandson, Jordan Brook, his sisters Dorothy Olsen and Betty Demers as well as numerous relatives. Cecil was predeceased by his wife Jean (1999), his son, Daniel Brook (2008), and his brother, Raymond (1999). Cecil believed that you should give back to your community by volunteering your time and knowledge. In lieu of flowers, please give some time to someone. Respecting Cecil’s wishes, the family will hold a private family gathering. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
