Cecil "Brock" Gilbert Brockinton Jr.

He served in the United States Army and retired as a Wetland Mitigation Specialist from Hillsborough County after 34 years of employment. Truly a Florida cracker as his ancestors are registered as a Florida Pioneer Family. Gilbert also has roots in Georgia and in South Carolina as far back as this nation’s colonial period.

As a young boy his grandfather Harper (Dade City) instilled in him a love for the game of baseball.

Gilbert is a graduate of Plant High school class of 1970. During that time he was an avid athlete and reader. His favorite novel was Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein. I’m certain if he could he would recommend you read it as I did prior to marrying him in lieu of a pre-nup.

Brock lived a very interesting, colorful, and adventurous life prior to joining the Army with his brother Andy. Later, he married a German girl he met while stationed there. Again an interesting life adventure as he returned to the US and then back to Germany and worked as a civilian where he lived approximately 5-6 years in total.This is also where he developed a taste for good German beer and bratwurst. In general, he is the most un-Southern Southerner I ever met.

Upon his return, Brock worked for Hillsborough County Mosquito control and here began a lifelong interest in the environment. I affectionately referred to him as Mr. Environmental. We would talk in the evenings about our work day and I learned so much from him. He was very very well informed about Florida’s natural habitat. He often volunteered his expertise to community groups and organizations as a public speaker.

Once we married and started our life together he finished his BA in Sociology. He was still an avid reader and our library grew and grew. He loved Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, and well you get the picture. His real dream was to become a film historian and we watched countless silent, classic, and artsy type films. Prior to Martha’s arrival we went to the movies at least twice a week and would have long conversations about the characters, the lighting, etc. over a cup of coffee long before Starbucks….trendsetters we were.

Being a dad was the light of his life. He never hesitated to handle baby duties and often we would almost squabble over whose turn it was to hold the baby. He shared his love of reading with his Honey Bunny, made the best pancakes ever, and he was fun. Lots of fun.

He had a fondness for Irish whiskey, a good pour of Guinness, and an exciting game of darts. An exceptional conversationalist, he would talk to anyone about anything appropriately or not and according to Martha, he could make friends with a brick wall. The New York Yankees were his team until of course we got a home team, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. You never saw such a smile on his face when we attended that first game. I also learned more than I ever needed to know about baseball but am grateful and thankful for that opportunity and the time we shared doing what he loved best. Boston Celtics, Tampa Bay Bucs and Lightning fan. USF and FSU sports and even soccer.

He was a man of conviction, fiercely protective of his family, and always concerned about the human condition. We love him and miss him and know he is in a better place now, always in our hearts and his spirit lives on in our loving memories. God’s speed my love.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Jacqueline Brockinton and nephew, J.J. Spinella.

Cecil is survived by his wife of 30 years, Cynthia; daughter, Martha Jayne Brockinton; sisters, Rosalia Spinella and Colleen (Eric) Salls; brother, Andrew Brockinton; nephews, Stan Brockinton, Jayme and Jeremy Salls; niece, Angela Lasitter; six great nephews and a great niece.

Interment will take place at Florida National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations to Alpha-1 Foundation (alpha1.org), American Lung Assoc (lung.org), or your charity