ROBERT GOLDTHORPE BROOK & VIOLET JOSEPHINE MARION HOLSEY
Robert and Violet were married on the 27th day of November, 1920 in Belleville, Ontario. The marriage particulars list Robert as being a bachelor, a salesman, and of the Presbyterian faith. Violet Marion Holsey is listed as a spinster with no occupation, and being of the Methodist faith. Violet was the daughter of John Holsey and Elizabeth (Betsy) Partrick. She was born on August 29, 1887 in Consecon, Ontario. Violet and Robert made Belleville their home, and had their first child, Robert Gerald Brook (Bob) on November 14, 1923 followed by John Herbert Brook on August 25, 1925, Elizabeth Helen Brook (Betty) on February 4, 1927, and their youngest child Charles Douglas Brook (Doug) on February 7, 1928.
A photograph of the Brook children taken in Belleville, Ontario. From left to right are John, Doug, Bob and (too cute) Betty
In 1932 when their children were still young, the Brook family moved to the growing City of Peterborough, Ontario. They resided for a time at 710 Water Street, and then rented a two-storey tenement (with attic) at 485 Aylmer Street. Robert suffered from severe asthma, a disease which was passed along to two of his children - Robert and Elizabeth. This condition incapacitated the senior Robert enough to affect his ability to work on a permanent basis. The decision was made to take in borders made up of factory and other workers who had come to the area for employment, and students attending their post secondary education in Peterborough. It is said that the most boarders living in the home at one time was approximately 5. Robert, Violet and their children assigned themselves to the attic space for sleeping arrangements while the borders would use the bedrooms on the second floor - sometimes sleeping two to a bed.
Dinner time (at noon) was the big meal of the day with the supper hour being less hectic and consisting of lighter fare. Robert was prone to his afternoon tea with a good helping of sugar - something he would transfer from cup to saucer and back again to cool if it was too hot. He was known for his unshaven face and inflicting the most memorable whisker rubs on his grandchildren. He was an educated pianist, and his Bell upright grand piano (manufactured in Guelph, Ontario) was a fixture of the front parlour which was also used as a photographic studio. A self-dug photographic darkroom was constructed in the cellar for the processing of negatives and prints. Robert was also a master rose gardener, and the backyard was a delight for him to work in. There were many varieties of roses surrounding a small circular lily pond which was the home for many goldfish during the summer months. A small water fountain made from the nozzle of a watering can was located right in the middle of the pond. The fish were brought into a glass tank during the autumn and winter months, and supplied the grandchildren with much enjoyment.
The staircase leading to the second floor at 485 Aylmer Street remains one of the most memorable "toys" of that home. Nothing fancy really, but a quick run up, and sliding down on one's rump over each stair until you reached the bottom provided endless fun. I personally swear that I don't have as much fun going down a ski hill as I did bumping my way to the first floor in that house, over and over and over again! In the kitchen was a corner cabinet below the counter which contained a "lazy susan". It was a good way to get scolded, but a grandchild could fit in there quite nicely, and with the aid of a co-conspirator sibling or cousin, one could happily spin in seemingly endless circles.
In the refrigerator were two constants - those being fresh cold water in a pewter jug, and crunchy celery of which a stalk always seemed to be in John Herbert's hand. Sugar cookies were in a tin on the pantry just before you descended the staircase to the cellar.
Robert held many jobs throughout his life. He worked at Hydro in Belleville, Eatons in Peterborough, the Grant and Loukes electrical store in Peterborough, and independently doing electrical and refrigerator repair in Peterborough before assuming his photographer role. In the 1936(?) Peterborough Business Directory, Robert G. Brook's occupation is listed as XXXXXXXXXX.
Dinner time (at noon) was the big meal of the day with the supper hour being less hectic and consisting of lighter fare. Robert was prone to his afternoon tea with a good helping of sugar - something he would transfer from cup to saucer and back again to cool if it was too hot. He was known for his unshaven face and inflicting the most memorable whisker rubs on his grandchildren. He was an educated pianist, and his Bell upright grand piano (manufactured in Guelph, Ontario) was a fixture of the front parlour which was also used as a photographic studio. A self-dug photographic darkroom was constructed in the cellar for the processing of negatives and prints. Robert was also a master rose gardener, and the backyard was a delight for him to work in. There were many varieties of roses surrounding a small circular lily pond which was the home for many goldfish during the summer months. A small water fountain made from the nozzle of a watering can was located right in the middle of the pond. The fish were brought into a glass tank during the autumn and winter months, and supplied the grandchildren with much enjoyment.
The staircase leading to the second floor at 485 Aylmer Street remains one of the most memorable "toys" of that home. Nothing fancy really, but a quick run up, and sliding down on one's rump over each stair until you reached the bottom provided endless fun. I personally swear that I don't have as much fun going down a ski hill as I did bumping my way to the first floor in that house, over and over and over again! In the kitchen was a corner cabinet below the counter which contained a "lazy susan". It was a good way to get scolded, but a grandchild could fit in there quite nicely, and with the aid of a co-conspirator sibling or cousin, one could happily spin in seemingly endless circles.
In the refrigerator were two constants - those being fresh cold water in a pewter jug, and crunchy celery of which a stalk always seemed to be in John Herbert's hand. Sugar cookies were in a tin on the pantry just before you descended the staircase to the cellar.
Robert held many jobs throughout his life. He worked at Hydro in Belleville, Eatons in Peterborough, the Grant and Loukes electrical store in Peterborough, and independently doing electrical and refrigerator repair in Peterborough before assuming his photographer role. In the 1936(?) Peterborough Business Directory, Robert G. Brook's occupation is listed as XXXXXXXXXX.
Taken in 1933 in Peterborough, Ontario, the Brook children are (from L to R): Bob (age 10), Betty (age 7), John (age 8), and Doug (age 6) in front
 The birth record for Violet Josephine Marion Holsey |
 Robert and Violet's marriage record |
A birthday Celebration for Violet at 504 Robert Road in Peterborough. 'Nana' is surrounded by all of her grandchildren (Clockwise from Lower Left) Wayne Brook on his older brother Doug's knee, their sister Janis, John Brook, Patti Keir and her brother Bill, and Bob Brook kneeling (lower right).
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