Brinkman, Henry 94, of Peoria, AZ passed away on December 8, 2010. Henry was born Feb 4, 1916 in Providence, RI to Louis Segar Brinkman and Anna Kaczor Brinkman. Anna was born in Rusilow, Ukraine, near L'viv. Henry was living at Encore Senior Village, Peoria, AZ at the time of his death. Henry is the oldest family member ever in our Family History which goes back to 1082. In 1922, the Brinkmans moved to Norwich, CT as Louis worked in the Printing Industry. Henry was Class president at Norwich Free Academy and he lettered in Track and Cross county. His 440 yard dash record held up for over 7 years in Connecticut. During his life, Henry was a talented tennis, volleyball and softball player. He taught countless people tennis and was a spirited dancer. After graduating from NFA in 1934, Henry went to Becker College in Worcester, MA and graduated in 1936 with a 2 year Business Degree . He also was class President at Becker College. Henry was hired by General Electric in Schenectady, NY and began his 40 year Business career in 1936. On July 30 , 1938, Henry married Margaret Eleanor Kyle, of Norwich, CT, in Schenectady, NY. They had a happy life and eight children and enjoyed a 46 year marriage until Margaret's death on November 28, 1984. Henry married Mary Wroebel Wright on August 3, 1985 and began a 24 year marriage which ended March 29 with Mary ?s death. With his two marriages, Henry enjoyed over 70 years as a married man. Between Henry's eight children and Mary's five children, Henry and Mary have a total of 90 descendants or descendant's spouses that have kinship with them, including 28 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. Henry was "Dad" to a lot of people. His love of family and knowing the right answer to lives problems will stay with us forever. Henry was a devout Catholic. He was an altar boy in Norwich, CT and served as a lector, fund raiser, and altar server at ST. Vincent De Paul in Phoenix, AZ for many years. He saw much of America's history and its changes during his life time. During the difficult depression years, he worked as a Bell Boy in the Hotel Bancroft, as a dish washer and handyman in Ma Bell's Tea Room, a Secretary in RJ Reynold's Tobacco Company and a Manager in the Becker College Cafeteria in order to pay for his college while at Becker College. Upon being employed at GE in 1938, he worked for $20 a week He fondly remembers having 25 cents left over after paying the rent, buying the food, etc. and said that Margaret would then buy a book with the 25 cents. During World War II, Henry worked in the Accounting department at GE. He said that they regularly worked 6 and a half days per week and only had Sunday afternoon off. Sometimes they'd have to even work Sunday afternoon during the war. Henry worked at GE in Schenectady for 18 years from 1938 to 1956. In 1956, he was transferred to GE's Industry Controls Department in Roanoke, VA. and worked there until 1963. From 1963 to 1970 Henry worked at GE in Oklahoma City, OK. From 1970 to 1972 Henry worked at GE's Computer Department in Phoenix, AZ. After Honeywell bought out GE's Computer Department, Henry worked for Honeywell both in Phoenix and Acton, MA until his retirement in 1976. During his early " retirement" , Henry became a Real Estate Broker. He also worked at an Elementary school in Glendale , AZ where he tutored children in math, taught an adult computer programming class and was a crossing guard until 1984. His daughter Sally was a student in his class. She had to endure "teacher's pet " comments. At 94 years of age, Henry still wanted a job. He served as chapel assistant and helped other residents when they needed assistance. Henry is preceded in death by his parents, Louis in1944 and Anna in 1974 and by all of his brothers and sisters: Andrew Louis in 1915, John Gilbert in 1974, Dorothy Handleman in 1989, Alice Levesque in 1992, and Raymond in 2007.Henry is also preceded in death by his son Richard Kyle Brinkman in 1946 , his first wife, Margaret in 1984, his grandson Luke Lamar in 2007 and his second wife, Mary on March 29, 2010. Henry's surviving children and spouses are William and Lin Brinkman, Round Rock, TX; Walter and Jean Brinkman, Jacksonville Beach, FL; Elizabeth and Leonard Grubbs, Bethlehem, NH; Joan Brinkman, Glendale, AZ; James and Linda Brinkman, Maynard, MA; Sally and Mark Everhart, Avondale, AZ; and Virginia and Rob Lamar, Queen Creek, AZ. Henry's surviving grand children and spouses are USAF Major Andrew and Dijana Brinkman, Braine Le Comte, Belgium; Robert and Stephanie Brinkman, Round Rock, TX ; USAF Lieutenant Colonel John and Debbie Brinkman, Tampa, Fl; Kyle and Cathy Brinkman, ST. Petersburg, FL; Susan Grubbs, Scotia, NY; Michele Davis, Bethlehem, NH; Wende and Larry Hokirk, Schenectady, NY; Meg Morrill, MA; Jim and Doni Brinkman, Phoenix, AZ; Christine and Eric Rochon, Boston, MA; Michael Coutard, Manchester, NH; Daniel Everhart, Avondale, AZ; Sarah Everhart, Avondale, AZ; and Tracy Lamar, Wichita, Kansas. Henry's surviving great grand children are Emma Brinkman, Aden Brinkman, Benjamin Brinkman, Daniel Brinkman, Stuart Kyle Brinkman, John Timothy Brinkman, Amber Davis, Tanner Brink man, Ty Joseph Brinkman, Tori Brinkman and Nakajima Alexis McWilliams. In lieu of flowers, those desiring to honor his memory may make contributions to: The Henry J. Brinkman '34 Award for Track & Cross Country Norwich Free Academy Foundation, Inc. 321 Broadway Norwich, CT 06360. Service arrangements are under the direction of Rude Family Northwest Mortuary 4033 North 19th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85015, 602-266-8000. A Memorial Mass will be held December 17, 2010 at 11AM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church at 3140 N. 51st AVE Phoenix, AZ. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Schenectady, NY alongside Margaret and Richard Kyle Brinkman.

Published in The Arizona Republic on 12/11/2010