In Celebration of
Brooks Jack Morgan Ralph
February 10, 1997 - February 20, 2024
We are saddened to announce the passing of Brooks on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, while skiing at Stowe Resort in Vermont. Brooks was skiing on a blue-bird day when he ventured off-piste.
Brooks will be profoundly missed by those closest to him: his parents Sue and Wayne, his sister Steffi, nephew and cousins of Scott, Becky and Emma Clawson, Stacie, Mark and Quigley Fagan, Teddy, Adrian and Bear Cieri, Nancy Robertson and his many devoted friends, teammates and colleagues. Brooks was predeceased by his grandparents Jack and Eila Wisswell, Aunt Patti Wisswell Clawson and his fur-sister Lucie.
From a very young age, Brooks demonstrated a curiosity, a sense of adventure and a desire to excel in all that he did. As an early walker, he began his love for exploring his surroundings before he was a year old. Brooks showed an early interest in learning and discovery; each day pointing to his ability to grasp new ideas and skills quickly. He began reading aloud and working through "math" concepts at a very young age which prompted Sue and Wayne to send him to Upper Canada College. It was at UCC that Brooks was truly able to fully access and develop the skill sets that would guide and serve him well throughout his years at UCC and beyond. In addition to the academics at UCC, Brooks also immersed himself in the musical and athletic opportunities that were available to him. He was a member of the Prep choir, starred in annual Prep plays, he played the clarinet and was involved in various musical activities. Brooks was a keen member of the Prep Basketball, Soccer, Cross-Country, and Track and Field teams. While he continued to run as captain of the Cross-Country team at the Upper School, he also began to row. In grade one at "A-day" he took a few pulls on an ergometer that had been taken out onto the field. It was then that 7-year-old Brooks declared that he wanted to be a rower when he went to the "big boy" school. Brooks trained with 100 percent focus and effort over the next few years; evolving from a skinny, but keen, kid to a strong, determined team captain, Senior Oarsman of the Year recipient and National School Boy Championship team member.
Brooks was also a dedicated member of Craigleith Ski Club's Extended Racing team which required him to be away from the UCC classrooms for week-long pre and post-season training camps and international racing. His strong work ethic and his ability to learn through self-direction and online staff support, allowed him to compete in a sport which he loved while maintaining his own high expectations at school. As a UCC "Survivor" he was the recipient of many awards across all disciplines including Creative Writing, English, Math, Physics and Chemistry. He was also awarded the Class of '57 Trophy for the student who demonstrated both academic and athletic excellence.
In typical fashion, Brooks knew that it would be his IB1 marks that would be important to his university admission. In IB1 he received a General Proficiency award, the Higher Level Chemistry award and as the top student in his IB1 class, he was also awarded the Visitor's Medal. In IB2 he received the Higher Level Physics award and he earned himself a spot on the wall in Laidlaw Hall for General Proficiency.
Also true to form, Brooks always had a plan. Once he had firmed up the academic piece to admission his attention was turned to captaining the UCC lightweight 8 to capturing the National School Boy Championship; a goal which he and his teammates completed successfully.
Again, following extensive research, Brooks identified something in Columbia University and their Lightweight Rowing program that caught his eye.
During Brooks' time at Columbia University, he continued to excel in both the academic and athletic arenas. He graduated from Columbia's Engineering program (SEAS '19) with a degree in Financial Engineering, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research. He continued to excel in his studies maintaining a spot on the IRA Academic Team with a 4.0 GPA and a member of the Dean's List, Order of Omega and Tau Beta Pi honor society. While at Columbia he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and he was the Operations Chair for the Columbia Investment Banking Division (CIBD), during his sophomore year, where he helped to organize and moderate events for Columbia students. Most important to him while at Columbia was rowing, both the sport and his teammates. The group of young men that joined with Brooks in 2015 quickly became a band of brothers whose lives and love for each other were destined to last forever. During his time on the Columbia Lightweight Rowing team, Brooks and his teammates won an unprecedented two National Championships in their four years.
After Columbia, Brooks started his professional career at Barclays Investment Bank. Brooks' friends and co-workers from Barclays recount that "Brooks' focus was on the work. The more challenging and intellectually stimulating the better. He constantly volunteered for the most challenging assignments. It reminds us of a quote from Margaret Thatcher: 'It used to be about trying to do something. Now it's about trying to be someone.' Brooks understood that good solid work was its own reward and stacking that up over and over would also get him to where he yearned to go. May he rest in peace."
Brooks joined Hunter Point Capital, an independent investment firm, in 2021. Colleagues from Hunter Point Capital share that "Brooks was an early member of the team and demonstrated exceptional skills and work ethic from the outset. He first impressed his colleagues with his Excel modeling during the interview process and quickly came to be regarded by his colleagues as one of the brightest minds in the industry. He combined intelligence with a compassionate demeanor, offering mentorship to junior associates and advocating for structured training within the firm. His loss leaves an irreplaceable void in the Hunter Point Capital family. Brooks' legacy will endure as a beacon of inspiration for being thoughtful, kind, humble and relentlessly pursuing the improvement of himself and others."
Although Brooks' life was cut short, it was lived well in every respect. We take comfort in the memories that have been shared with us.
Visitation will be held at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel (2357 Bloor St. W., east of the Jane Subway Station) Wednesday, March 6 from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
A memorial service will be held in Laidlaw Hall at Upper Canada College (200 Lonsdale Road) on Thursday, March 7, 2024. If you plan to attend, please arrive no earlier than 4:15 p.m., as the school day will be coming to a close. The service is scheduled to start at 4:45 p.m.
Visit @columbia_lightweight_rowing Instagram for teammate reflections.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Brooks’ name to a charity dear to his heart, The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids)
Brooks will be profoundly missed by those closest to him: his parents Sue and Wayne, his sister Steffi, nephew and cousins of Scott, Becky and Emma Clawson, Stacie, Mark and Quigley Fagan, Teddy, Adrian and Bear Cieri, Nancy Robertson and his many devoted friends, teammates and colleagues. Brooks was predeceased by his grandparents Jack and Eila Wisswell, Aunt Patti Wisswell Clawson and his fur-sister Lucie.
From a very young age, Brooks demonstrated a curiosity, a sense of adventure and a desire to excel in all that he did. As an early walker, he began his love for exploring his surroundings before he was a year old. Brooks showed an early interest in learning and discovery; each day pointing to his ability to grasp new ideas and skills quickly. He began reading aloud and working through "math" concepts at a very young age which prompted Sue and Wayne to send him to Upper Canada College. It was at UCC that Brooks was truly able to fully access and develop the skill sets that would guide and serve him well throughout his years at UCC and beyond. In addition to the academics at UCC, Brooks also immersed himself in the musical and athletic opportunities that were available to him. He was a member of the Prep choir, starred in annual Prep plays, he played the clarinet and was involved in various musical activities. Brooks was a keen member of the Prep Basketball, Soccer, Cross-Country, and Track and Field teams. While he continued to run as captain of the Cross-Country team at the Upper School, he also began to row. In grade one at "A-day" he took a few pulls on an ergometer that had been taken out onto the field. It was then that 7-year-old Brooks declared that he wanted to be a rower when he went to the "big boy" school. Brooks trained with 100 percent focus and effort over the next few years; evolving from a skinny, but keen, kid to a strong, determined team captain, Senior Oarsman of the Year recipient and National School Boy Championship team member.
Brooks was also a dedicated member of Craigleith Ski Club's Extended Racing team which required him to be away from the UCC classrooms for week-long pre and post-season training camps and international racing. His strong work ethic and his ability to learn through self-direction and online staff support, allowed him to compete in a sport which he loved while maintaining his own high expectations at school. As a UCC "Survivor" he was the recipient of many awards across all disciplines including Creative Writing, English, Math, Physics and Chemistry. He was also awarded the Class of '57 Trophy for the student who demonstrated both academic and athletic excellence.
In typical fashion, Brooks knew that it would be his IB1 marks that would be important to his university admission. In IB1 he received a General Proficiency award, the Higher Level Chemistry award and as the top student in his IB1 class, he was also awarded the Visitor's Medal. In IB2 he received the Higher Level Physics award and he earned himself a spot on the wall in Laidlaw Hall for General Proficiency.
Also true to form, Brooks always had a plan. Once he had firmed up the academic piece to admission his attention was turned to captaining the UCC lightweight 8 to capturing the National School Boy Championship; a goal which he and his teammates completed successfully.
Again, following extensive research, Brooks identified something in Columbia University and their Lightweight Rowing program that caught his eye.
During Brooks' time at Columbia University, he continued to excel in both the academic and athletic arenas. He graduated from Columbia's Engineering program (SEAS '19) with a degree in Financial Engineering, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research. He continued to excel in his studies maintaining a spot on the IRA Academic Team with a 4.0 GPA and a member of the Dean's List, Order of Omega and Tau Beta Pi honor society. While at Columbia he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and he was the Operations Chair for the Columbia Investment Banking Division (CIBD), during his sophomore year, where he helped to organize and moderate events for Columbia students. Most important to him while at Columbia was rowing, both the sport and his teammates. The group of young men that joined with Brooks in 2015 quickly became a band of brothers whose lives and love for each other were destined to last forever. During his time on the Columbia Lightweight Rowing team, Brooks and his teammates won an unprecedented two National Championships in their four years.
After Columbia, Brooks started his professional career at Barclays Investment Bank. Brooks' friends and co-workers from Barclays recount that "Brooks' focus was on the work. The more challenging and intellectually stimulating the better. He constantly volunteered for the most challenging assignments. It reminds us of a quote from Margaret Thatcher: 'It used to be about trying to do something. Now it's about trying to be someone.' Brooks understood that good solid work was its own reward and stacking that up over and over would also get him to where he yearned to go. May he rest in peace."
Brooks joined Hunter Point Capital, an independent investment firm, in 2021. Colleagues from Hunter Point Capital share that "Brooks was an early member of the team and demonstrated exceptional skills and work ethic from the outset. He first impressed his colleagues with his Excel modeling during the interview process and quickly came to be regarded by his colleagues as one of the brightest minds in the industry. He combined intelligence with a compassionate demeanor, offering mentorship to junior associates and advocating for structured training within the firm. His loss leaves an irreplaceable void in the Hunter Point Capital family. Brooks' legacy will endure as a beacon of inspiration for being thoughtful, kind, humble and relentlessly pursuing the improvement of himself and others."
Although Brooks' life was cut short, it was lived well in every respect. We take comfort in the memories that have been shared with us.
Visitation will be held at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel (2357 Bloor St. W., east of the Jane Subway Station) Wednesday, March 6 from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
A memorial service will be held in Laidlaw Hall at Upper Canada College (200 Lonsdale Road) on Thursday, March 7, 2024. If you plan to attend, please arrive no earlier than 4:15 p.m., as the school day will be coming to a close. The service is scheduled to start at 4:45 p.m.
Visit @columbia_lightweight_rowing Instagram for teammate reflections.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Brooks’ name to a charity dear to his heart, The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids)
Funeral Details
Show location:
Visitation
Turner & Porter - Yorke Chapel
2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M6S 1P4
Get Directions
Wednesday, 6 Mar 2024 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Memorial
Upper Canada College (Laidlaw Hall)
200 Lonsdale Road, Toronto, ON, M4V 1W6
Get Directions
Thursday, 7 Mar 2024 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM
Info: If you plan to attend, please arrive no earlier than 4:15 p.m, as the school day will be coming to a close. The service is scheduled to start at 4:45 p.m.