Theodore Brinkman

A Great Man We Call Dad

"He was a wonderful man; A wonderful father; A wonderful friend. He was a wonderful husband. He was the best husband in the whole world.".... (MaryEllen Brinkman)

Theodore Brinkman was born August 12,1931 in Newark, New Jersey to William Brinkman and his beautiful wife Mary (Bohlsen) Brinkman, two German immigrants that had come to America in hopes of a new life. Following their friends to upstate New York, the family eventually moved to Richmondville, New York. Here, along with his other brothers John Brinkman (predeceased ), William G Brinkman (of Guilderland N.Y.), and Frederick Brinkman (Marblehead Mass) he grew up on their farm and worked for the family business, The White Hen. He continued on to college and attended SUNY AG and TECH at Cobleskill, where he received an Associate is Degree; and then continued on to SUNY Albany to receive his BS in business. It was while he at Cobleskill College, Ted was a member of the college basketball team and it was at a game one evening that his life would be changed forever. For as he came in with the team before a game, a young woman, who had never met him before, spotted Ted from the bleachers, and leaned over to her friend and whispered "Do you see that young man, I'm going to marry him one day." That young woman was MaryEllen Tompkins. This would be the beginning of a lifelong beautiful marriage that would continue to last for 63 years.

During Ted's early years of marriage to MaryEllen, they were blessed with four children. Heidi Brinkman (Cobleskill NY), a missionary minister, who states "my daddy always supported me and believed in me with every crazy endeavor I ever pursued; and was my personal moving company" ; Jill Brinkman (Cobleskill NY) who always swore she could tell when daddy was fibbing to her, because "he'd get a smirk that gave him away", and the family secretary ; Karen Crewell (Jeff) (Richmond Virginia) a cytotechnologist, and his baby girl who states "he was my rock and my moral compass" ; and Krage Brinkman (Alicia) (Schenectady NY) a born salesman, the only son, and the last to be born to the family, and within that , Krage always states "They saved the best for last".

Along with their four children, Ted and MaryEllen were blessed with many grandchildren. Their first, Heidi's only son, David Brinkman (Shayna), was as much a second son to Ted, as his grandson. and was his best man. Jacob (aka Stevie Ray Vaughn) and Kylie (aka Wylie Kylieotie), Karen's two kiddos and the greatest parts of the extension of Ted's personality. Paige (aka Princess Paige), Griffin (aka Ken 'Fiffy' Jr), and Gavin (aka Lucky Luke), Krage's three youngsters and a smiley generation to his legacy. Along with Ted's children and grandchildren, his brother Bill gave him two special nephews with his wife, Judy Brinkman (Martin), Jason Brinkman (Saratoga NY), and John Brinkman (Las Vegas NV).
When Ted's heart was not focused on his family, it was on his other great love, his community. Throughout his life, Ted was involved in many different facets of the community; to list them all would be a novel within itself. Of the highlights, he was Interim Mayor of Cobleskill, President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Board of the Directors at Cobleskill Hospital., Director of the Faculty Student Association at SUNY Cobleskill, President of the Richmondville Fire Dept., President of the Rotary Club, Cobleskill Village Trustee, as well as a member of the Fred L Stilson American Legion Post of Cobleskill for 60 years, the VFW, the advisory board to the Board of Education, Chairman of the financial drive for the Boy Scouts, Proactive Fitness, and the parish council of St. Vincent de Paul church.

Ted's deep love for his neighbors and community was an endless characteristic of his selfless nature. He continually placed the wellbeing of others and their care, before his own. His strength and his faith were the center of his integrity. His constant concern to make sure that everyone was taken care of and safe, were trademarks of his personality. His fun humor usually ended in him laughing at himself. His wisdom and willingness to stay open to change made him a skilled successful leader. His perseverance and determination were qualities that were as steadfast as his commitment to whatever he took on.

But of all his accomplishments, Ted's greatest achievement came in the final days of his life. Never did a man fight so hard, or desire so strongly to overcome an obstacle in his life. Surrounded by his family, this brave warrior would succumb to his battle, 40 days from its start, on January 3rd 2016. But, the glory of this trial, his greatest achievement, would shine brightly through the dark. The strength and compassion that he had instilled within his family, a love that had been the foundation of his heart, in a time when many would come apart and unravel; Ted had succeeded in weaving into the basic principles of his family, the courage, the perseverance, the commitment, and the honor of family, that only he could so admirably do. He is our hero. To quote his granddaughter Kylie: He is "the strongest man we know". He is the great man we call dad.

Because of our dads love for the community and his continued desire to have the American flags flying from Walmart to SUNY Cobleskill, we ask that in lieu of all flowers/gifts, please send all donations to:
The Cobleskill Fire Dept. PO BOX 697, Cobleskill NY 12043
Please include "Memory of Ted Brinkman; flags" in the memo of your donations.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at St Vincent de Paul Church, 138 Washington Ave., Cobleskill with Father Jeffrey L'Arche as celebrant. Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held at the church from 4 PM to 7 PM on Wednesday. Burial will be in St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery with military honors.

Arrangements are entrusted to Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill or Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home of Middleburgh.

For further information and the provision for online condolences, please visit www.merenessputnamfuneralhome.com

Cemetery Details