Norfolk—Hyman Brooke (Hymie), born May 7, 1923, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2022 after a short illness.
Born and raised in Norfolk, he graduated early from Maury High School and attended the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary. His studies were interrupted to open Brooke’s Market on Church Street. Hymie later joined his father and brothers in the family business, Southern Packing Corporation (the Plant), eventually becoming president where he continued to work well into his 90’s.
He was a founding member of Temple Israel, a member of its Men’s Club, and the B’rith Sholom Center. For 74 years, Hymie was a proud member of the Norfolk Masonic Lodge #1.
Hymie was an amazingly kind, compassionate gentleman. He loved working at the “Plant” in any capacity alongside his father, brothers, nephew, and grandson. It did not matter if you were a customer, driver or meat cutter, you were his friend. Rarely angry, he viewed life with a “happy heart” adding a joke or a pun at every opportunity. His wife, Pearl, was the love of his life along with his three devoted daughters and large extended family. He was a man who loved life and could make “lemonade out of lemons.”
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Pearl Mirman Brooke; parents Isadore and Rebecca Brooke; brother and sister-in-law Benjamin and Lea Brooke; son-in-law Jerry Meldon; brother-in-law Barry Kantor; and brother and sister-in-law Sonny and Bunny Mirman.
He is survived by his daughters, Judy Goldman (Ray), Robin Brooke Meldon, Sandi Rothman (Karl), grandchildren Todd Goldman (Stacey), Lauren Barkan (Alex), Tova Tritt (Shawn), Perri Meldon (Lucius), Seth Meldon, Rebecca and Danielle Rothman; brother and sister-in-law Leonard and Eleanor Brooke; and was “Hoppy” to his eight great-grandchildren Ava and Lainey Goldman; Casey, Spencer and Esther Barkan; Leighton, Emerson, and Paxton Tritt, as well as many nieces and nephews.
We have all learned from Hymie’s loving example, he was a “mensch” and will be forever missed by all who knew him.
Donations may be made to Temple Israel, the Samuel Michael Brooke Fund at the University of Virginia, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to the family through hdoliver.com.
A graveside service was officiated by Rabbi Michael Panitz at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk.