W. Leonard Brooks passed away August 17th in Boca Raton Florida at the age of 84. He was the founder and President of Brooks Sporting Goods which operated in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Leonard started the business operating 2 Army Navy stores in the early 50's. Leonard sold the 12 store chain to W. R. Grace in 1972 and it became the Mid Atlantic group of the Herman's World of Sporting Goods. Leonard was a retail pioneer and an innovator in merchandising, advertising and promotions in the Sporting Goods arena.
Leonard was born December 27th 1925 in Philadelphia. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rhoda, his sister Leatrice Cohen (Stanley), his two daughters Randy Miller (Dr. Alan), Gayle Potter (Alan) his son Robert Brooks (Nancy), grandchildren Brett, Jon, Kim, Amanda, Joe and 2 great grand children. Leonard's son and his niece are still active in the sporting goods industry; son Robert is the President of Robert Brooks Associates, a national accounts sporting goods rep firm, and niece Donna Musciano is a buyer at The Sports Authority.
