Oxford Community Rallying to Support D.J. Brooks' Family [Updated]

Update as of 3:30 p.m. on June 2:

A website has been set up so that community members can make donations online to the Brooks Family Memorial Fund. Here is the link:

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/eKc7e?psid=f449d121f0f94ad7b276ce5e3ebaabdd

The original report follows:

Just as soon as the tragic news broke that 24-year-old D.J. Brooks had died Saturday in an accident on Swan Lake, Oxford residents came together as a community to offer their condolences to the family.

A fund has also been created to help cover funeral expenses and related costs, according to of the Oxford Ambulance Corporation.

"DJ's sister April has been a member of Oxford Ambulance for the last 14 years. She has selflessly been donating time as a volunteer EMT to serve our community," she wrote on Oxford Patch. "The Brooks family has been overwhelmed with tragedy this year. Earlier in the year April lost her older sister Darylann also a tragic young age."

"The family now needs help with burial expenses for DJ. Oxford Ambulance is setting up a family fund to help assist the family in these expenses. If anyone would like to donate please send checks to Oxford Ambulance P.O. Box 515 Oxford, CT, please make a notation on the check that this is for the Brooks family fund."

"It's a small way of thanking April for the hours she has volunteered to help our community and showing that we take care of each other in Oxford."

In a similar showing of support, here is what a few other residents had to say, in comments on :

"I was the librarian at Oxford Center School during the years when D. J. was a student there. He was the nicest, most likeable kid, with a smile that didn't quit. He put in a lot of effort and won the hearts of those of us lucky enough to work with him. He loved anything with wheels, especially motorbikes, and raced them when he got older. To D. J.'s family, I am so sorry for your loss." —

"The Brooks family grew up swimming there on a property owned by their grandfather. I remember him as a tossle-headed blond smiling child at the edge of the lake." —

"I too am truly sorry for the loss of another young person from Oxford. DJ was a friend of my daughter and son in law.From what they said about him he was a good guy with a great sense of humor and a great smile." —