Ernest F. “Spike” Brockelbank

Ernest F. “Spike” Brockelbank, 75, of High Street, Ipswich, husband of Janice M. (Gilman) Brockelbank, died December 1, 2011 in his home following his long illness.

A lifelong resident of Ipswich, he was born  April 1, 1936, the son of the late Chester and  Florence (Davey) Brockelbank. He was a 1954 graduate of Ipswich High School where  he met his wife Janice, the love of his life.

A Navy Veteran, he served four years as an Aviation Electrician and was a graduate of Lowell Technical School and Salem State College.  He was a school teacher for five years in Rowley and Beverly before he started his career in computer programming and systems analysis during the early days of mainframe computing.  His career in systems analysis and engineering continued for many years until his retirement in 2003.  During that time he worked for such companies as Honeywell, Control Data, American Mutual, Amdahl, and most recently Fujitsu Corporation. 

As a beloved town fixture, you would find Spike at Marty’s on Sunday mornings or at the softball games at Don Bosco.  He gave back to his community through his four year tenure on the Ipswich School Committee and his participation on the Shellfish Board, Ipswich Outboard Club, and the Mosquito Control Board.

An avid golfer, he enjoyed opportunities to play at some of the finest courses here in New England, as well as around the country.  Never one to sit still, Spike enjoyed clamming, traveling, photography, working in his yard and garden, and spending time with his family and friends. He was always quick with a story and a joke, and was always eager to lend his hand or his heart to someone in need.

In addition to his wife Janice of fifty-four years, he is survived by a daughter, Denise M. Commons and her husband Geoffrey of Northfield, VT; three sons, David A. Brockelbank of Apex, NC, Douglas E. Brockelbank and his wife  Suzanne of Raymond, ME, and Darrin M. Brockelbank and his wife Elizabeth of Stratham, NH; twelve grandchildren, Capt. Austin Commons, US Army Ft. Hood, TX, Annie Commons Wood of VT, Alexander Commons of UT, Jacob, Joseph and Jordan  Brockelbank all of NC, Abbi and Sam Brockelbank both of ME, Jack Brockelbank of ME, and Grayson, Maxwell and Kathryn Brockelbank all of NH; a brother, George Brockelbank and his wife Nancy of FL; a sister, Florence “Teddy” Marshall of Ipswich and many nephews and nieces. He was the brother of the late Chester, Norman, Robert and Lawrence Brockelbank and the late Helen “Honey” Brockelbank.

His funeral will be held 9 am Monday, December 5,  2011 from the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich, followed by the celebration of a Funeral Mass 10 am in Our Lady of Hope Church. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Visiting hours are Sunday 4 to 8 pm. Interment with Naval Honors will be in the Cowles Memorial Cemetery, Ipswich. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the St. Vincent daPaul Society at Our Lady of Hope Church, 1 Pineswamp Road, Ipswich, MA 01938.