Brooks Carrington Bridges

Brooks Carrington Bridges died at home on August 16, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. Brooks was born on October 29, 1940, in Stuart, FLA, to the late Carl and Frances Bridges. Brooks grew up in Stuart, graduating from Martin County High School in 1958. He later attended Palm Beach Junior College and the University of Florida, receiving his BS degree in Electrical Engineering in 1963. During his career, he worked as an engineer on rockets (including the Saturn V), satellite prototypes, and even fighter jets. Later, he taught himself how to program computers and built a second career as a software engineer, creating a program for Y2K that the state of NY still uses today. He met and married his first wife, P. Jeanine Campbell, in St. Louis, MO in 1967. Two children, Campbell and Karen, soon followed. Jeanine and Brooks settled in western Massachusetts, but later separated, remaining good friends throughout their lives. Brooks met Maureen Sheridan Farrell in 1991, at a contra dance in Albany, NY. They married on June 18, 1994, expanding Brooks’ family with the happy addition of three stepchildren, Stephanie, Chet and Sarah. Brooks and Maureen purchased a mid-1800’s farmhouse in upstate New York, and they enjoyed life to the fullest, contra dancing whenever they got the chance, cross country skiing, roller blading, and traveling. And for Brooks, that also meant sailing and being on the water whenever he could. He was never happier than when he was on a boat, away from land and (too many) people, just like when he was a boy in Florida. Brooks and Maureen retired to Cambridge, Maryland, in 2004, in part so that Brooks could be close to the water. The two made many wonderful friends in the area and continued their rich life together in a new home, Brooks with his succession of sailboats and adventures in the Bay, Maureen with her art, and both with their involvement in the community. Eight grandchildren came along during their Cambridge years, and all enjoyed visiting Granddad and Nana, and taking a ride on Granddad’s boat on the Choptank river. At 70 years of age, Brooks finally realized his dream of sailing the Intracoastal Waterway of the eastern U.S. and making the jump to the Bahamas, a feat he could never have accomplished without the support of his wife Maureen. Together, they made it! Brooks lived a full life and is survived by his wife Maureen; his children Campbell Bridges and wife Tracy, Karen Bridges and husband John Giles; his stepchildren Stephanie Wyatt and husband Jim, Chet Armlin and wife Angel, and Sarah Armlin; his former wife and friend Jeanine; his eight grandchildren: Tyler Wyatt, Ian Bridges, Isaac Armlin, Henry Giles, Lindsey Wyatt, Lauren Bridges, Ryan Giles and Brady Armlin; and, his beloved dog, Lucy. A celebration of life will be held late spring, early summer 2025. Details will be made at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Brooks’ favorite charity Shore Rivers, 114 South Washington St, Easton, MD 21601. [https://www.shorerivers.org/donate] For Brooks: Blessing the Boats, by Lucille Clifton (Maryland’s poet laureate from 1974 to 1985) may the tide that is entering even now the lip of our understanding carry you out beyond the face of fear may you kiss the wind then turn from it certain that it will love your back may you open your eyes to water water waving forever and may you in your innocence sail through this to that

Brooks Carrington Bridges

October 29, 1940 - August 16, 2024