Bruce R Brinkman
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Bruce Robert Brinkman after a long battle with cancer passed away on December 19th, 2020 at the Margaret Pratt Community in Bradford Vermont.
Bruce Brinkman was born on September 27th, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York the last child of six of Charles Fredrick Brinkman and Grace Elizabeth (Wright) Brinkman. Of his siblings, Charles Brinkman, Elsie Whitefield, and Judith Jensen passed before him while George Brinkman and Grace (Gay) Keeley survive him. He was engaged to Lorraine Liv Ramsdale on Christmas Eve 1961, they married August 18, 1962 and had three children, Stanley Bruce Brinkman married to Dacia Brinkman of North Haverhill, New Hampshire, Jeffery Charles Brinkman married to Rosa Tanner Brinkman of Norcross, Georgia, and Carol Lorraine Barquis married to Jesse Barquis of Patterson, California. Bruce had eight grandchildren, a step grandson, and 14 nieces and nephews with whom he was very close. Bruce's grandchildren are Taylor Brinkman engaged to AJ Galfetti, of Washington, Vermont: Jesse Brinkman engaged to Wyatt Kay,McKenna Brinkman, and Logan Brinkman of Chelsea, Vermont; Deven Creamer of Milton, Vermont; Sydney Brinkman of North Haverhill, New Hampshire; Grant Brinkman, Nate Brinkman, and Isabella Brinkman of Norcross, Georgia.
Bruce served in the U.S. Army manning Ajax missile batteries in Texas and New York. He then worked 36 years for New York Telephone/NYNEX/Verizon, serving for 18 of those years as the Union Treasurer and Benefits Expert for C.W.A. Local 1120. For most his career he lived in Rhinebeck, New York where he and Lorraine raised their family. Bruce had a very outgoing personality, engaging almost everyone he met in conversation, and always sought to help others with his knowledge, time, and generosity. He loved his entire family, being very close to all his siblings, nieces, and nephews whom he visited several times a year.
Bruce retired in 2001 making his summer home in Chelsea Vermont, where he loved working his hobby apple orchard, swimming in "Bruce's Pond" while teaching his grandchildren to swim, and playing pinochle as a family card game tradition. He spent winters in Georgia near his son Jeff's family, watching his grandchildren grow up and attending their sports events, dance recitals, and graduations. He had great pride in all his grandchildren and often would say "life had been good to his family and his family had been good to him". His door was always open and he loved to talk. He is survived by his devoted wife Lorraine and will be missed by all of us. May you rest in peace. Arrangements are by Hale Funeral Home in Bradford, VT.