Clayton Morgan Brooks, 88, of Grahamsville, NY, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Vassar Brothers Hospital following a brief illness.

To know Clay was to know a truly good man.

He was humble, kind, soft-spoken, hardworking, and a gentleman in every sense of the word. He never needed attention or recognition. He simply went through life doing what he believed was right, helping others when he could, keeping his word, and treating everyone with kindness and respect. He was the kind of person people trusted and the kind of person whose absence will be deeply felt.

Clay was born December 28, 1937, in Ellenville, NY, to the late Morgan Brooks and Verta (DePuy) Quimby.

Faith and family were at the heart of everything Clay did. He often said, "God is first; then comes my family," and he lived those words every day. For 68 years, he shared his life with his beloved wife, Charlotte, the love of his life. Together, they built a family and a lifetime of memories.

His relationship with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren was like no other, and they adored their Poppy. From long coffee talks with the older grandchildren to sharing hands-on moments with the great-grandchildren, whether through tractor and Corvair rides, teaching them gardening techniques, or the many practical things he had learned throughout his life, Clay gave them something far more lasting than lessons. He gave them his time, his patience, and his love, creating memories they will carry with them always.

Clay had a lifelong love of cars and proudly owned and operated C & C Enterprises, an autobody repair shop in Sundown, where he worked alongside his son, David. Together, they became the "go-to" team for vehicle repairs, earning a reputation throughout the community and surrounding counties for honesty, professionalism, and quality workmanship. They took pride in restoring vehicles to look as good as they did before the mishap, but most of all, people trusted Clay. He believed in treating everyone fairly and always standing behind his work.

That same commitment to his community was evident throughout his 26 years of public service in the Town of Denning, beginning on the Property Tax Assessment Review Board and ultimately serving as Town Supervisor for his final ten years.

One of the causes he was most passionate about was protecting upstate watershed communities from condemnation and seizure by New York City. Clay understood that struggle personally after a home he and his father had built in Rock Tavern was taken by New York State as part of the expansion of Stewart Airport. He was determined that other families should not face the same loss.

For years, Clay worked tirelessly to protect watershed communities, helping bring about the historic Memorandum of Agreement between New York City and the upstate watershed communities. Former Ulster County Legislature Majority Leader Ward Todd once said, "In my heart, I believe there would not have been a Memorandum of Agreement without Clayton Brooks."

Clay was also one of the founders of the Coalition of Watershed Towns and the Catskill Watershed Corporation, organizations that continue to represent and support watershed communities.

Clay accomplished a great deal during his 88 years, but his greatest legacy will not be found in his work or public service. It will be found in the people he loved, the lives he touched, and the example he set.

Clay is survived by his wife and love of his life of 68 years, Charlotte; his children, Faith Osterhout, Brenda (Bob) Devore, and David (Nancy) Brooks; seven grandchildren, Becky (Ryan) McBride, Tim (Meg) Osterhout, Jessica (Jim) Garigliano, Kimberly (Matt) Golemboski, Tyler (Frances) Brooks, Cheyenne Brooks, and Rachel (Kira) Brooks-Ambrosi; step-granddaughter Teresa Burger; and eight great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Sarah McBride, Griffin and Giada Garigliano, and Charlotte, Joelle, Tenlee, and Graham Golemboski; and his sidekicks, Lee Osterhout and Bobby Brooks.

He was sadly predeceased by his beloved son, Michael Morgan Brooks.

Clay, Dad, Poppy-

Thank you for showing us what it means to be a good person. Thank you for loving us so quietly and so completely, for always being there, and for giving us a lifetime of memories we will carry with us forever. We will miss your kindness, your gentle spirit, and simply knowing you were here.

You were deeply loved, deeply respected, and you will never, ever be forgotten.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 18, from 2-4 PM, with a memorial service at 4 PM at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sundown Methodist Church.