Obituary of James C. Brink

BRINK JAMES C. Age 65, of Woodland Way in Big Flats, passed away peacefully at home on June 12, 2017 of respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after surviving lung cancer. He leaves behind his loving wife, Sherry Ann (née Westlake) with whom he would have celebrated 45 years of marriage in August. Born in Elmira on November 12, 1951, he was the second child of the late Clayton Henry Brink, Jr. and Alma Belle Ross. Jim graduated from Horseheads High School in 1969, and then attended Corning Community College. On New Year's Eve in 1971, he met Sherry at Bull-n-Heifer in Horseheads, later telling his parents that he had met the girl he was going to marry. True to his prediction, they were married on August 26, 1972 at the First Presbyterian Church in Horseheads by the Rev. David Snyder. That same year, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force, and was stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Ari. Jim worked at Facet Enterprises (Bendix Corp.) after his honorable discharge from military service before starting his career as a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service, retiring after 24 years in 2006. Jim was an avid local racing fan and often shared memories of races and racers from his youth. He enjoyed watching NASCAR; running slot cars with friends; comparing the exploits of the New York Yankees and Giants with the teams and players that he watched growing up; bowling, fishing and golfing; playing cards and bingo; and vacationing in Myrtle Beach and Florida. Jim was a music enthusiast who enjoyed attending concerts and shows. Jim had an uncanny ability to recite obscure facts about seemingly any artist or album. He was a particular fan of the Beatles. Most significant to him and his loved ones, Jim appreciated spending quality time with family and friends and took tremendous pride in the accomplishments of his children. In addition to Sherry, Jim is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard James (Andrea) Brink of Horseheads and Gary Michael (Annie) Brink of Bayonne, N.J.; four grandchildren, Benjamin and Avery Brink and Zachary and Jenna Brink; sister Linda J. (Thomas) Howard of Corning and brother Robert T. Brink of Hernando, Fla.; nieces and nephews, Deanna (George) Simmons of Corning and T.J. (Rachael Dodge) Howard of Painted Post; and Joshua (Christina) Brink of Nokesville, Va. and Jada (Omar Asmar) Brink of Aldie, Va. Three aunts also survive Jim: Ivah (Brink) Rawley of Pearland, Tex., Clara (Powell) Brink of Bishopville, S.C., and Shirley (Ross) Call of Mays Landing, N.J.; father and mother-in law, Franklin and Marie Westlake; sisters-in-law, Linda Westlake and Diane (Jim) Cannella; together with several cousins, grandnieces and -nephews, friends and acquaintances. He was predeceased by his father in 2004 and his mother in 1994; uncle Frederick Brink in 2001; aunts, Ethel (Brink) Bennett in 2016; Doris Brink in 1948; Lois Brink in 1937; Louise (Brink) Elliott in 2010; and Martha (Ross) McKown in 2014; and three dogs, Angel, Shadoe and his beloved golden retriever and constant companion Josie. Family and friends are invited to call at LYNCH FUNERAL HOME 318 WEST BROAD STREET HORSEHEADS, NY on Friday June 23, 2017 from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held immediately thereafter at the funeral home officiated by the Rev. Dr. Cynthia-Ann Elfond of the First Presbyterian Church in Horseheads. Interment will take place in Maple Grove Cemetery in Horseheads. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA 2345 State Route 352 Elmira, NY 14903, in Loving Memory of Jim. Words of Condolence and Memories may be shared at www.lynchsfuneralhome.com.