Bro.
Michael F. Brinkman, SDB (1932-2025)
Bro. Michael Francis Brinkman,
SDB, died peacefully Melech Hospice in Temple Terrace, Fla., on Tuesday, February
18, after a long illness and several hospitalizations. A member of the Salesian
community at St. Philip the Apostle Residence in Tampa since 2012, he was 92
years old and a professed Salesian brother for more than 64 years.
Bro. Mike was the son of Urban
and Florentine Rentz Brinkman, born on May 4, 1932, in Dayton, Ohio. He was
baptized a few days later at St. Agnes Church in Dayton and later was confirmed
at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Dayton.
As a boy and young man, Mike was
mechanically gifted. Before entering the Salesians, Mike served in the U.S. Air
Force and also worked as a draftsman.
Answering God’s call, Mike came
to Don Bosco Seminary in Newton, N.J, in September 1958 as a “Son of Mary,” the
term used for “late vocations” at the time. He was admitted to St. Joseph’s
Novitiate in Newton as a coadjutor brother novice on September 7, 1959. The 64
novices were guided by Fr. Aloysius Bianchi, master of novices. They included Bob
Bauer, Paul
Cossette, John
Grinsell, and Jerry
Harasym, among others. They made their first religious profession on
September 8, 1960, in Newton. Bro. Mike made his perpetual profession on July
1, 1967, at Ellenville, N.Y.
Bro. Mike’s first assignment was
to Don Bosco Technical High School in Paterson, N.J., where he resided while
studying electronics at the RCA Institute in New York City in 1960-1961. His
courses were mostly math, physics, and drafting.
In 1961 Bro. Mike moved west to
Don Bosco Technical Institute in Rosemead, Calif., as a teacher. He stayed for 3
years before being assigned in 1964 to Don Bosco Technical High School in
Boston as an electronics teacher, a role he carried out until 1976, and dean of
discipline. During that time he earned an Associate’s degree in electronics
from Northeastern University in 1970. He also took some courses at Boston
College.
 |
| From a DBT yearbook |
Of Bro. Mike’s time at DBT,
former Salesian Bob Heilman, who was in practical training, says he was “blessed
to work with him at DBT. A very kind and gentle brother.” Jim Hager, Class
of 1974, remembers Bro. Mike as dean of students: “I was lucky – Bro. Brinkman
was there during my four years. We had a ‘no sideburns’ rule and long hair had
to be kept trimmed – this was from Sept. 1970 to June 1974. Bro. Mike led by
example – we used to say he had ‘whitewalls’ over his ears because he kept it
so neat and trimmed.”
Other DBT alumni echo Mr. Hager.
Peter Masciola, Class of 1975, writes that after DBT he “went onto graduate
from Stonehill College and New England Law School. I spent 30 years in the
military as a JAG officer in the Air Force and I retired as a brigadier general.
Brother Mike was one of my important role model leaders at Don Bosco, and his
thoughtful, even-handed and compassionate guidance helped me be successful in
life. But it’s not only me; there are many other Bosco students whom I
personally witnessed during my four years, where Brother Mike had a similar effect.
He was always there for us. He really was an embodiment of Saint Don Bosco, the
way he cared for our success, and did everything he could to help us grow up. He
lived an incredibly fulfilling life taking such joy in doing God’s work with
young boys helping to turn us into men with a conscience.”
Dr. Jim Mullen, a retired Army officer, calls Bro.
Mike “a great man and an inspirational servant leader.
I fondly remember spending some quality time with Brother Brinkman when he was
the dean of discipline at DBT. He was tough but fair and a true Christian
role model for all of us. Along
with his fellow Salesian priests and brothers, he showed us how to live in
integrity and union with the teachings of Jesus.”
Richard Paris, a
retired Boston fireman, says: “Brother Mike Brinkman was the best. He was tough but fair. He
always kept us on the straight and narrow. My locker was on the floor with his
office in the new building. He always said to me, ‘Mr. Paris, I’m keeping eye
on you.’ When I got in trouble junior year, he stuck up for me. When I became
president of the Boston firefighters union, he contacted me to congratulate me.”
Richard Harrington, Class of 1972, testifies that “Brother
Mike was a good guy … tough at times, but he was always fair to the students.
He was always at our football games, and he was a big supporter of all teams.”
Bro. Mike left Boston in 1976 to
pursue a Bachelor’s degree in math at William Paterson College (now University)
in Wayne, N.J. He completed his B.A. in 1979, then served one year as principal
of Don Bosco Tech in Paterson. He did his best to bring his successor up to
speed about the job (moi, very inexperienced).
 |
| Bro. Mike in Harlem |
The province found a good niche
for Bro. Mike and his electronics ability at St. Thomas the Apostle Church’s
school for disadvantaged young men in Harlem, New York City. He taught there
under the auspices of the Don Bosco Harlem Association from 1980 to 1991. He made
his mark in the lives of many students. One, Rod Logan, wrote to him in 2006
from Texas: “I constantly think about all the valuable life lessons I learned
while attending Don Bosco Harlem. They have proven to be very instrumental in
my growth into manhood and fatherhood. In addition, they have helped me
professionally. . . . I have been truly blessed to have people like you come
into my life and make significant contributions towards my development as a
human being. . . . I’m sure I’m just one of many who are reaping the rewards of
your tireless efforts.”
Bro. Mike spent the 1991-1992
pastoral year at the Salesian Center in Columbus, Ohio, as program director at
the Salesian Boys & Girls Club. In 1992 he moved to New Rochelle, N.Y., as
part of the provincial residence community and to work at Don Bosco Multimedia.
In 1996 another one-year assignment followed at the youth center of St. Philip
Benizi Parish in Belle Glade, Fla.
Bro. Mike returned to New
Rochelle in 1997 to reside at Salesian High School as the community’s treasurer
and work in the province’s development office. In 2001 he went back to Columbus
as a staff member at the Boys & Girls Club until the Club closed in 2008. Fr.
Mike Eguino, who was a young Salesian then, recalls: “I first met Bro. Mike in
Columbus. He was in charge of the bowling alley. He did such a great job
maintaining the machines [that] the bowling company would send their
technicians to learn from him how to fix the machines. He cared for the men in
formation who would come to spend their summers at the Club. I always found he
was a man with wisdom and grounded spirituality. I was blessed to live with him
in Columbus, Orange, and Tampa.”
 |
Bro. Mike with Bro. Dave Iovacchini, ca. 2011
(unknown photographer) |
Bro. Mike stayed in Columbus for
awhile after the Club’s closure, then moved in 2010 to the Salesian residence
in Haverstraw for a few months. He was assigned to the house of formation in
Orange, N.J., from 2010 to 2012. Early in that time he celebrated his golden
anniversary of profession.
 |
At Mary Help of Christians, Nov. 2017
(photographer unknown) |
Over the years Bro. Mike
distinguished himself as a respected teacher, prudent administrator, and caring
youth minister.
Bro. Mike is survived by his
brother Fred and his sisters Lois Kenkare and Ann Oberer. One sister
pre-deceased him. A nephew and other family members also survive
him.
At the Marian Shrine funeral Mass, Fr. Richard Alejunas, province treasurer, will preside. Fr. Eddie Chincha, parochial vicar at St. John Bosco Parish in Port Chester, N.Y., will preach.
Funeral Arrangements
at Mary Help of Christians Church, Tampa
Wednesday, February 26
Funeral Mass:
10:00 a.m.
Visitation: 8:30 a.m.
at the Marian Shrine, Stony Point-Haverstraw, N.Y.
Friday, February 28
Visitation:
4:00 to 6:45 pm
Mass of Christian
Burial: 7:00 p.m.
Burial, Salesian Cemetery, Goshen, N.Y.
Saturday, March 1
10:00 a.m.
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