Robert Brocker

CANFIELD — Robert James Brocker, 96, passed away peacefully Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, at Briarfield Place in Boardman.

He was born Nov. 3, 1926, in Guffey, Pa., the son of Robert John and Hannah McGrew Brocker.

Robert was a United States Army veteran. During his long career as a neurosurgeon, he founded the Youngstown Neurological Diagnostic Clinic and was very proud and thankful for the number of people he was able to help through his medical practice in the Youngstown and Salem area.

He was an avid pilot, flying 14 different aircraft throughout his flying career, and he loved spending time farming his fields late into the night on his northern Canfield property.

In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Donna Bailey Brocker; his sister, Shirley Sliker; and two of his children, Robert (Kathy) and Barry (Darla).

He is survived by six of his eight children, Bill (Susan), Bruce (Debbie), Brian (Marli), Brad (Heidi), Brent and Beth; and his 28 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the nurses and aides at Assumption Village, Briarfield Place and Crossroads Hospice, who cared for and developed friendships with “Doc” Brocker.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, 3701 Starr’s Centre Drive.

In his honor, a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at the funeral home. Calling hours also will be held one hour prior to the service Saturday, from 10 to 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that material tributes take the form of contributions to the donor’s favorite charity.