M. Brooke Tyler Jr., 95, passed away July 6 at his home surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his wife, Bessie (Knowlton) Tyler, ten days earlier on June 26, 2009.
Mr. Tyler was born in Quincy, Mass., to the late M. Brooke Sr. and Pauline B. (Wright) Tyler. He attended school in Longmeadow and Technical High School in Springfield, Mass., for two years. He then attended Stanton Military Academy in Stanton, Va., graduating in 1932. He graduated from University of Miami in 1937. While there he was manager of the Miami Hurricanes football team.
When he returned home, Tyler joined his father in the then M.B. Tyler Tractor Company, which later became Tyler Equipment Corp. He worked there as president, CEO and at the time of his death, chairman of the board.
Mr. Tyler lived in East Longmeadow for 70 years and spent his summers at his home in Groton Long Point, Conn. He was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church, Springfield.
He is survived by his two sons, M. Brooke III and his wife Rita, and William and his wife Jane; three grandchildren, Kelly and Shawn Tyler and M. Brooke Tyler IV and his wife Meri Lee; by his great-grandson, M. Brooke “Ben” Tyler V and by his sister, Fern Rizzo of Naples, Fla.
He was predeceased by his three brothers, Theodore, Wallace and Grant Tyler.
Burial was private at Billings Hill Cemetery, East Longmeadow. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Tyler’s memory to St. Patrick’s Church, 1900 Allen St., Springfield, MA 01118.
