Millard E. Rooks
Millard E. Rooks, Jr., better known to all as “Buddy”, age 55, passed away suddenly in his home on the morning of March 4, 2025. Buddy was born August 30, 1969 to Millard Rooks Sr. and Shirley Heater Rooks, and he grew up in Alpha, New Jersey. He is a 1983 graduate of Alpha Public School and a 1987 graduate of Phillipsburg High School. He also attended Warren County Community College. Buddy’s career with the Department of Weights and Measures in Warren County, and later Hunterdon County where he served as the Superintendent, spanned nearly 30 years.
Buddy’s lifelong passion was sports, especially football, wrestling, and softball. He inherited a love of the Philadelphia Eagles from his father. He played football for the Phillipsburg Stateliners from 1983 to 1987, and then went on to coach and officiate during his adult life. He truly cared for each and every student athlete who called him “Coach”. For many years, Buddy could be found mat-side at “The Pit” watching every Phillipsburg wrestling match, behind the plate at many local softball games calling balls and strikes, running up and down the football field throwing yellow flags, or declaring takedowns on the wrestling mat. He was also a devoted uncle who loved to follow his nephews in their athletic pursuits, particularly football and wrestling, and he happily travelled so that he rarely missed a game, match or tournament.
Buddy spent the majority of his life as a resident of Alpha, where he bought his family home across from the park and pool and lived until his passing. Besides coaching in Alpha, he also served two terms as a Councilman for the Borough of Alpha, and his contributions to his hometown were a big point of pride in his life.
Buddy is survived by his wife, Jamie Mack Entkos of Alpha, step-son Justin Entkos USMC, sisters Kelly Morris of Martin’s Creek and her husband Duane, Christina Smith of Alpha and her husband Patrick, Nickcole Dehart Muller of Easton and her husband Joe, and a brother, George Dehart. He also leaves behind his beloved niece and nephews Ryan Paff and his wife Ashley, Alivia Dehart, Gavin Muller, and Colin Smith, along with two great nieces, Riley and Gabriella Paff. Buddy will also be missed by his best friend and brother of the heart, Anthony Villante of Easton and his wife Lisa. Buddy is predeceased by his parents and nephew, Kyle Paff.
Services are under the care of the Finegan Funeral Home located at 924 Second Avenue, Alpha, New Jersey with calling hours to be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. A service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 11:00 am with burial to follow at the Raubsville Cemetery.
The family would like to honor Buddy’s legacy in the manner in which he lived his life – giving of himself to youth sports programs. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to the Garnet Booster Club Foundation, 602 Carpentersville Road, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 would be appreciated.