Brooks Rogers Joslin
12/25/1930 – 8/8/2025
If you were lucky enough to meet Brooks Rogers Joslin, you never forgot him. His warmth, kindness, and humor left a mark that time could not fade. For decades, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and even casual acquaintances would light up at the mention of his name, saying things like, “Oh, Brooks is such a nice man,” or “What a wonderful man.” To so many, he was the definition of a true gentleman — respectful, wise, and unfailingly kind, with a sense of humor that could make any moment brighter. His great niece reminisced, “Brooks was a man whose love reverberated – just like his deep and soulful voice”; a friend remembered him as “a genuine friend and the standard setter as to what is a true ‘gentle-man.’” Whether offering a voice of reason, sharing a laugh, or simply listening, Brooks made people feel valued and at ease. He was, in the words of many, “a truly remarkable person” — and he lived every day in a way that earned that praise.
Brooks was born on Christmas Day 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Ellsworth Carl Joslin and Augusta Brooks (Ramsey) Joslin. He moved to Connecticut in 1936, first to West Hartford and later to Farmington. A graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy (Class of 1949) and Trinity College in Hartford (Class of 1955), Brooks also served proudly in the United States Air Force for three years during the Korean Conflict.
In 1954, Brooks met the love of his life, Carol Lee Blake, on a blind date. They were married December 16, 1955, and shared 69 years of devotion, laughter, and adventure before her passing in December 2024. The couple began their married life in Evanston, Illinois, but soon settled in West Hartford, Connecticut, where Brooks would live for the rest of his life.
Brooks enjoyed a distinguished 37-year career at The Travelers Insurance Company, retiring as an executive in 1993. Outside of work, he was deeply committed to community and culture. He was a dedicated member of Immanuel Congregational Church in Hartford, where he sang bass in the choir, served as moderator and senior deacon, participated in numerous committees, and took part in the church’s International Partnership program. A passionate supporter of the arts, he served on the Board of the Wadsworth Atheneum and had an abiding love for opera — attending more than 500 performances across the U.S. and Europe, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Santa Fe Opera (his favorite), and opera houses in London, Paris, Berlin, and Prague. Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg was his favorite work, which he saw multiple times.
Brooks and Carol Lee loved to travel, exploring new cities and revisit favorite destinations, across the U.S. and in Europe. He was an avid tennis player well into his 80s, a devoted Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) fan, and a fixture in West Hartford Little League, where he umpired for 18 years in his younger days. He was also a member of the Hartford Club and the Farmington Country Club. When asked how he hoped to be remembered, Brooks said simply, “I always tried to be fair.”
Brooks was an extraordinary father — a constant and enthusiastic supporter of his beloved children. “I felt like he was my number one fan,” his daughter shares. “He was always there in whatever way I needed him, always on my side.” That same steadfast loyalty and generosity of spirit extended to his grandchildren, family, and all those he loved.
Remarkably, Brooks remained alert and engaged to the very end, talking sports, business, and politics in his final days. His mind was as sharp as ever, and his interest in the world around him never faded.
Brooks is survived by his three children: Blake Joslin and his wife Donna Eagle Joslin of Asheville, North Carolina, and their children Josh and Emma; Timothy Joslin and his wife Michelle Pettee Joslin of Medford, Massachusetts, and their daughters Abbie and Kate; and Spencer Joslin-Montlick and her husband Neil Montlick of Windsor, Connecticut, and their daughters Canaan and Vivian. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Carol Lee, his brother Ramsey Joslin, and sister-in-law Sally Joslin.
Brooks passed away peacefully at home in West Hartford on August 8, 2025, surrounded by love. His humor, kindness, and deep integrity will live on in the hearts of all who knew him — a true gentleman whose example will continue to guide those fortunate enough to have called him family or friend. In the words of one admirer, Brooks was “a human to aspire to and adore,” and to the many whose lives he touched, he will always be remembered that way.
