Palm Beach legend Bill Brooks has cancer
Tags: Bill Brooks, cancer, Channel 5, Town of Palm Beach, WPTV
| Wednesday 22 July 2009 4:27 pm
Brooks in last year's election
Former WPTV-Channel 5 general manager and Town of Palm Beach Councilman Bill Brooks underwent his third round of chemo this week.
The 75-year-old is suffering from lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes.
“The doctors are telling me they’re confident we can beat this thing,” Brooks said from his Seabreeze Avenue home Wednesday.
Because the treatment has lowered his immune system, he’s home-bound for the next two months.
Brooks, who left the Catholic priesthood in the 60s then married a former nun, Martha, now spends his days bathed in classical music, Beethoven and Mozart. He mostly reads books on history and spirituality.
“The first chemo (in late May) knocked me on my fanny,” said Brooks, one of the architects of Channel 5’s rise to one of the nation’s top-rated local stations. “But I’m a fighter. There’s no whining here. Like Nike says, ‘Just do it.’”
And Brooks, who lost this third reelection last year, says Canada Dry has replaced whisky and wine, both longtime staples of his diet.
“I haven’t had a drink since May 14, and to tell you the truth, I don’t feel like having one,” he said.
Brooks never suffered any serious illness in his life. But the announcement in May that he was sick made him contemplate the true meaning of humility.
“I realized that, no matter how many press clippings you have about the things you’ve done, that’s insignificant when it comes to mortality.
“But I’m calm about it. Very content.”
Yea, he’s gonna die. Sucks to be him.
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What a glib and unthinking thing for t.j. to say.
A. We’re all gonna die. B. His cancer is treatable and he may not die for a long time. C. He’s 75, had a great life, has more to come, is beloved and respected, and is at piece with God.
I hardly think it “sucks to be him.”
*peace - at “peace” with God. Stupid typos.
Our prayers are with you, Mr. Brooks.
Gee “Fan” it must be nice to have nothing better to do than cruise theblogs so you can comment on other people’s typographical errors. Does that make you feel better?
Um…I was annoyed at my own typo - I made the original comment and felt the need to correct myself to be clear.
I have followed the career of Mr. Brooks for many years. He certainly has contributed much to the South Florida area. My thoughts and prayers are with him during these difficult times. Good luck, Mr. Brooks.
Get Well Mr. B. A wonderful memory of Palm Beach’s biggest Red Sox fan. During the summer of 1986, I worked as a waiter at the P.B. Yacht Club (next door to the old WPTV headquarters). Seeing Mr. B. often at the club, I teased him about the Sox (since I was a huge N.Y. Mets fan). When Mr. B. went to the 1986 World Series, he brought me back a pennant from the series. I’ve never forgotten it. God bless to Mr. Brooks AND to your beloved Red Sox. Good health to both.
Thank you for the nice article about my favorite brother-in-law, Bill Brooks. From Hampton Beach, NH to Palm Beach, FL we love you Bill! Get Well soon.
Such a difficult note to write….I first met you, Bill, in 1982. Your presence in the community is lengendary; your spirit strong. You have always been and remain a valiant fighter….God speed my friend.
Al Zucaro
bill… youll beat this just like you did the service tax on broadcasters years ago. then lets celebrate with a long lunch at the p b yacht club. god bless. doug & marilyn shull
My wonderful Bill, remember your little Colombian Assinstant? I’m goming to Palm Beach to see you and Martha soon.I love you!
I’m going to miss you so much Uncle Bill. We are so sorry you lost this battle. You are the most wonderful, generous man I know!!
Uncle Bill we all going to miss you so much ,we can’t understand that you are gone too ,loosing our Dad Guido was very hard and now you .You were like a SECOND FATHER to us. We love you so much and Aunt Muffy ,we will always be there for you , Evelyn ,Angela , Zita , Julia and Lola.