Obituary of Gary L Crooks

Gary L. Crooks, (66) of Doral, Florida passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2017. Born and raised in Jersey City, N.J., he moved to Florida 31 years ago. The private service will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 111 Claremont Rd., Bernardsville, N.J. on Saturday, November 11th at 1 pm. The Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Bernardsville, N.J. Gary attended Henry Snyder High School in Jersey City, N.J. He graduated from Kean University in Union, N.J. He was an institutional trader with Morgan Stanley in Manhattan, N.Y. and Raymond James in Florida. He was of Catholic Faith. He enjoyed boating especially captain of his Sea Ray, The Lana Michele. Gary was an excellent handyman and carpenter. He built the world's strongest cedar closet in his home in N.J. before moving to Florida. Gary was an amazing cook, loving Italian food and King Crab Legs. Mr. Crooks is preceded in death by parents Vincent L. and Dorothy (Blackburn) Crooks and brother, Clifford V. Crooks. He is survived by his daughters, Michele Ouellette and her husband, Bill of Lake Wales, Florida and Lana Crooks and her husband Jarrett Widman of Chicago, Illinois. Loving grandfather to Jacqueline, Madeline and Charles W. Ouellette, III. Caring brother to Donald Crooks and his wife, Carol of Bernardsville, N.J. Uncle to Michael, Janine, Ronnie, Thomas, Donald, Allyson, Casey, Brady and Tucker. Cousins to Lynn Westlake Clements, Susan Westlake, Ronald Blackburn, Margurite Blackburn, Frank Blackburn, Robert Blackburn and Kenneth Blackburn. Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge, N.J. are handling arrangements. For information, call 908-766-0250 or visit www.gcfuneralhome.com.