Geoffrey Anthony Brookes

Obituary

Geoff was born on January 29, 1961 and was raised in St. James. He attended Bannatyne Elementary School, Bruce Middle School, and Sturgeon Creek High School. After obtaining his BA at the University of Manitoba, he entered the Chartered Accountancy profession, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and uncle. Geoff began his career with Touche Ross, and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1985. He soon pursued a specialist designation in Canadian, and later US, income taxes. He was known as a leading income tax expert for more than 40 years.

As a child, Geoff loved music, and was a talented pianist. He wrote his own music and always seemed to find a piano to play wherever he went. He spent many happy summers at Victoria Beach with all the family… riding bikes, golfing, games on the beach, sailing, softball, movie nights and swimming on hot summer days. He was a reader and his favorite book was Lord of the Rings. He also excelled at chess.

Geoff became a Christian as a teenager through friends in the Elim Chapel Youth Group, and has remained connected with these friends.. Geoff’s faith has continued to guide him through many challenges in his life.

In 1985 he met Laureen Poetker, the love of his life and in April 1987 they were married. Laureen worked as a nurse at HSC in SICU and Geoff worked at Touche Ross. Several years later they relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia where, in 1991, they welcomed their first daughter Courtney. Despite Courtney’s premature birth and diagnosis of Down Syndrome, Geoff was optimistic and steadfast in. Eighteen months later, in 1993, Hillary was born prematurely, followed by their son Sean in 1997.

In 2000, Geoff joined Hutchings, May and Co. and, in 2003, he became a partner in the firm which was re-branded as Pope and Brookes. He worked for Pope and Brookes for 20 years which was the longest chapter in his 42 year professional career. This gave him more autonomy and flexibility for family life. During these years he had the chance to go to Lithuania more than once which he really enjoyed. During these years he was on the board of the Church of the Way and later on the Board of the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra. Summers were spent camping, going on trips in Canada, the USA and Bermuda where his brother Trevor lived with his family.

After Courtney moved into a wonderful St. Amant home in 2016, Geoff and Laureen had the opportunity to resume their passion to travel together: Italy, Greece, Mexico, and Cuba and most recently Portugal and Barcelona. Geoff was an accommodating travel companion and was always game to see another church or museum and then sit down and have a cappuccino .

In April of 2020 Geoff had the great pleasure of welcoming his first grandchild, Sophia. He delighted in being called “Pappa”. Five years later he welcomed his grandson James with equal enthusiasm. Geoff was great with children and loved being a grandfather.

Several months after joining Craig Ross in 2023 Geoff had a stroke. He took his recovery in stride and a year later wrote special tax exams to allow him to deal directly with the IRS. Regretfully, on Friday, November 21 he suffered another stroke from which he could not recover. Geoff went to be with the Lord on December 3rd, and selflessly donated his organs to 3 blessed recipients.

Geoff will be greatly missed for his generosity of spirit, his kindness and unwavering loyalty. You are truly one of a kind. Rest in peace. Go with God.

Geoff leaves to mourn his wife Laureen of 38 years, their children, Courtney, Hillary (Dylan), Sean (Victoria) and grandchildren Sophia and James, as well as his parents Penny and Tony, brothers Trevor (Karla), Derek (Shauna) and their children. Uncle Terry (Marilyn), Aunt Susan (Gordon) and their families.

A special thank you to the care teams at Health Sciences, in particular the ER, H7, MICU, and Transplant Manitoba who provided Geoff with exceptional care.

The funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church, 1771 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg, MB.