CUMBERLAND - Gaylord Brooks III, son of Gladys Sponseller Brooks and Gaylord Brooks, Jr. was born December 6, 1930 in Baltimore, Maryland and passed away on February 9th, 2024 in Cumberland, Maryland.

Gaylord graduated from Allegany High School in Cumberland and the University of Maryland, College Park with a BS in Bio Science. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He served in the medical corps in the US Army and was stationed in Germany. During his deployment he traveled extensively throughout Europe, which initiated his life-long passion for travel. Upon returning to Cumberland he was employed by the State of Maryland for 34 years, serving as the Director of Environmental Health for the Allegany County Health Department. During his tenure at the Health department, he ended open-burn dumps, initiated sewage treatment facilities and clean water for most of Allegany County, and pioneered the use of abandoned strip mines for landfills.

Gaylord is survived by Shirley Simmons Brooks, his wife and companion for more than 60 years. Together they shared many interests including traveling, sailing, skiing, camping, scuba diving, and biking. He is also survived by his daughter Catherine Brooks and his granddaughter Isabela Brooks-Vega. All three ladies were the loves of his life.

Active in the Cumberland community for most of his adulthood, Gaylord began in the Jaycees, held several offices, and was named Jaycee of the Year. He served as both a board member and president of the Cumberland YMCA, was an active member and Junior Warden of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Treasurer of the Allegany County Historical Society, and a member of the City of Cumberland Historic Preservation Society. Gaylord held a deep appreciation for gardening. He helped with landscaping projects at the Gordon Roberts House, the Cumberland County Club, and Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

Gaylord enjoyed a full social calendar and was frequently the planner and organizer of trips and events for his family, friends, and the community. He was a member of the Cumberland Country Club where he played golf. He was president of the Allegany Ski Club, leading trips to the Western United States and Europe, and he helped to form a distance trail biking club in Cumberland with trips to DC and Pittsburgh.

Gaylord wished to acknowledge and thank the many friends throughout his life who have supported him, shared time, put up with his sense of humor, and accompanied him on all the adventures.

Per his wishes, he will be cremated.

Friends will be received Thursday, February 15  from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., on Virginia Ave.