William Tobias Brewster passed away peacefully with his family surrounding him at his home on March 16, 2023. Toby will be deeply missed, and forever in our hearts.
Toby was born in Worcester, Massachusetts to Carol (Whitham) Brewster and Seward ‘Pat’ Brewster on May 27, 1961. The family soon moved to Manchester, Maine where Toby enjoyed his childhood, outdoor adventures, and happy memories with his brothers, Ben and Seth, in the woods, fields, streams, and lakes of Maine.
Toby graduated from Deerfield Academy, Dartmouth College (where he met his wife Becca), and Harvard Graduate School of Education.
After college, he found his true vocation – to work with young people – a calling seeded by his family’s devotion to Birch Rock Camp, a community and place he loved as a camper, counselor, director, and longtime Board member.
His 35 years of work in education, the majority spent at St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH, included teaching, admission and financial aid, college counseling, advising, and coaching. His greatest professional joys came through the students he taught, athletes he cheered on, and colleagues with whom he worked. One of his favorite classes to teach was “In Tune with Nature,” co-taught with his colleague and dear friend Rick Pacelli. While Rick unfolded the scientific understanding of ecosystems for their students, Toby brought out the poet in each. As a teacher, Toby aimed to listen more than talk.
A beloved husband, father, brother, teacher, coach, and friend, Toby touched many lives with his kindness, patience, and steady sense of purpose and contentment. His greatest of joys was his family whom he loved dearly. He embraced time around the table with friends sharing a meal and being outdoors and active. He was an athlete who led with sportsmanship, a swimmer, biker, runner, and skier. He was also an avid reader and enjoyed connecting with others through books.
He leaves his wife Becca (Glimp) Brewster and their four sons Will, Eli, Peter, and Seth; his brother and best friend Seth; his sisters- and brother-in-law Emily, Ted, and Sally (and Michael); his mother-in-law Gigi; his nieces and nephews Ben (and Becky), Hannah (and Emin), Tory, Kiki, Adrienne, Emily, Michael, Charlie, and Trent; his aunts, uncles, and cousins; his extended family, and many dear friends.
Toby often expressed a deep appreciation for the care he received. The family wishes to echo his gratitude for the compassionate support of his doctors, the team of medical workers on Concord Hospital’s PCU 3-East Wing, the Granite VNA teams, family members, friends, and caregivers.
