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Mexico expert Rolly Brook.RIP Rolly Brook, the expat’s oracle
He blogged about life in Mexico with useful, accurate information
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Thousands knew him though not personally, benefited from his advice and recommendations about living in Mexico, and enjoyed his anecdotes and photos of life in his adopted country over the course of nearly 15 years.
This week, the many expatriates and others who enjoyed reading about “My Life in Mexico” are mourning the death of Winston Rollins Brook, better known as Rolly Brook, an expert on all things Mexico and an oracle for information-hungry newcomers.
He passed away yesterday at the age of 83.
Brook covered a wide range of topics on his website, rollybrook.com, where he blogged about topics ranging from buying insurance and getting married to obtaining a visa and finding a home, and he kept the information updated. That helped put it near the top of any number of Google searches that might be conducted by confused newcomers to Mexico, puzzling over immigration forms or wondering about their health care.
The site appears today at the top of the list in a Google search for “buying health insurance in Mexico.”
Not all the information was stuff people would go looking for, but it was interesting, such as photo-stories about butchering a pig and preparing carnitas, making piñatas and a day in the life of a taco stand.
Brook was also the co-author of a book, “Moving to Mexico,” designed to answer the many questions generated by such a relocation.
He was also an avid user of Facebook, sharing a variety of stories from various sources (including Mexico News Daily) on a regular basis.
Following the announcement of Brook’s death yesterday on his Facebook page, the tributes have been pouring in, both on Facebook and on the message boards and forums where he was also well known. They’ve come from Mexican and expat friends and the myriad people who knew him but had never met him.
He touched many people not only with his vast knowledge of his adopted country but with his humor and generosity: “When I first moved to Mexico, Rolly’s website was the only one that I found that provided information that was accurate,” reads one of the tributes. “I relied on it a lot throughout the years. He provided a great service to the expats. I also enjoyed all his posts throughout the years. Love his sense of humor, and am sorry I never got to meet Rolly. He will indeed be missed.”
Rolly Brook moved to Mexico from Los Angeles, California, in 2000 shortly after his retirement when he was “in serious need of a new adventure in my life.” He settled in Lerdo, Durango, found that new adventure and made thousands of friends in the process.
Mexico News Daily
