Age 63, of Snyder, NY. David was the beloved husband of Linda (Beckstein) Brinkman and the son of the late R. Roberts Brinkman and Joan (Schack) Brinkman. He is survived by his wife Linda and daughters Renee Clementi, Christine Lojacono, Sandy (Tim) Conti, Tammie Lyn McNerney, his Brother John (Patricia) Brinkman as well as grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Dave’s faith was central to his life, having been baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1983. His dedication moved him to devote many hours volunteering within his congregation and community. This included participation in construction projects, as a bible instructor, and offering spiritual comfort to friends in need with visits to the hospital and in their homes. He was confident in God’s promises for the future (Revelation 21:4). In his leisure time, Dave enjoyed outdoor activities, especially Allegany State Park and vacations in Florida. He also had a passion for carpentry and crafted several pieces for his home and personal projects. A memorial service will be held on April 13th at 2pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, located at 7375 Nash Rd, North Tonawanda, NY 14120. Visitation with the family will begin at 1:15 pm and continue after the services. David’s family has entrusted his care to the Goodlander family, OTTO REDANZ FUNERAL HOME, 2215 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY (716) 297-9007. Share condolences and memories at GOODLANDERCARES.com
Age 62, born August 1961, passed away April 29, 2024. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Paul passed away peacefully under the comfort, dignity and care of Hospice Buffalo, Sloan Comfort Care, an extradentary facility with an extremely, caring and compassionate staff of volunteers. To many, he was loved as a great son, brother, uncle and friend. He was a wonderfully talented artist who painted, drew, played clarinet, guitar (as well as other instruments) and won awards for his incredible skill and passion of photography. Known as ‘Photoman,” his photography career started from a young age and his works of photo art spanned for more than half a century with a portfolio of 10’s of thousands of photos. His morning sunrise pictures were often featured on channel 4 morning news in Buffalo.
Paul is survived by his Mom, Tanya Miller, Brothers Brian (Ann), Bruce (Ann), Tim (Melissa, deceased), Dave (Debby), Joel (Anita), 18 Nieces and Nephews, many decades long, loyal friendships and is preceded in death by his nephew Maxwell Miller and father Clark Miller.
Paul started photography at the age of five when he received a camera for Christmas. Always artistic from an early age, he mastered the art of photography by seeing the potential of a moment through the lens of a camera. By the age of 7, he had his own darkroom in the family basement. He started in black and white because it was less costly to develop as a kid, but made his photos colorful by capturing the essence of his subjects.
Paul graduated from Amherst High School, followed by a degree from Ithaca College as a Cinema/Photography major. He was the supervisor of product photography at Jordan Marsh, Boston. From there he was the master photographer for The Franklin Mint and Lennox while living in Philadelphia, where hundreds of his photos were featured in ads of many national publications. Paul also freelanced his entire life including thousands of photos from rock concerts (Rolling Stones and Ted Nugent, his favorites) starting in the 1970’s up until recently.
He also enjoyed playing sports requiring precision and dexterity including pool, tennis and ping pong. Paul was always passionate and hard working at everything he did including cooking his famous authentic Italian sauce and meatballs as well as at his most recent job with the Town of Amherst Highway Department, where even as he was fighting the good fight for life, he showed up for work every day as he was committed to being there for his work partners. Paul always made people feel comfortable and loved. His use of self-deprecating humor to point out his own faults, made him honest to a fault. He is loved and will be missed by his family, especially his mom and five brothers, all of whom he was very close to.
For those who would like to memorialize Paul, his family requests contributions be made to The Sloan Comfort Care Home who provided the best end of life care Paul could have. Please consider making a donation in lieu of other tributes to the Sloan Comfort Care Home, 17 Geirlach St, Sloan NY 14212.
Laura Brayden Townsend, 77, of Crestview Hills, KY, passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at her home, after multiple courageous battles with cancer. Born on November 15, 1946, in Buffalo, New York, she was the only child of the late William Giles and Mary Howell Brayden. Steeped in southern traditions from her time in South Carolina, Laura loved spending time with her family and friends, often surrounded by comfort food, barbecue, sweet tea or fresh seafood. Laura worked for Support Systems International, a former division of Hillenbrand Industries, and she was a member of Immanuel United Methodist Church.
She raised three boys, with whom she shared many adventures. Laura always remained thankful that she met and later married William Renaker Townsend, her husband of 32 years who preceded her in death on August 26, 2022. Together, they had a world of fun: enjoying their time with family and friends, traveling, skiing, and making countless memories. To say she liked pigs would be an understatement. Her home (both inside and out) reflected decades of collecting pig memorabilia.
Laura is survived by three sons: Kelley McIntyre (Esther), Brayden McIntyre (Heather), and Gregg Dennison (Sam); nine grandchildren: Kiley Monfils, Molly, Alex (Allie), Luke, Gabe, Benjamin, and Ian William Dennison, Duncan and Claire McIntyre; three step-children: Bob Townsend (Karen), Dave Townsend (Lauren), and Patricia Bruin; several step-grandchildren, including Jennifer Osbourne, who helped to care for Laura in the kindest of ways; and a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Highland Cemetery Chapel: 2167 Dixie Highway, Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017, with visitation from 10-11 a.m. at the chapel. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Woodhead Funeral Home, Falmouth is caring for the family.
The Amherst Central Alumni Foundation, Inc. is looking to grow our alumni Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 school year. The Directors manage the Foundation and all of its activities and events. Our board committees help perform a variety of tasks and support functions for the Foundation and our Grant Program.
If you have a special talent you would like to share or would like to give back to the Amherst Central School District by volunteering for the Foundation, please fill out our brief questionnaire by clicking here.
Please respond by Friday, May 3, 2024.
The Foundation Board meets monthly throughout the school year, generally the third Thursday of every month.
(By Michael Chardack ’77) In early March of 2024 a group of ACHS Class of ’77 graduates assembled in Park City, Utah for the 3rd annual ski trip class reunion hosted by alumni Rick Porter. A good time was had by all, despite the respiratory illness (Covid negative) that swept through several of the attendees. The snow was good and the smiles, laughter and camaraderie was in abundance during the 4 day event. Tower 77 and Polaris 74 year books were present at the reunion and were reviewed in depth as each member chimed in on information about our fellow classmates, past and present.
On that note, we all discussed and remembered Yuri Hreshchyshyn and wondered where he was and what he was doing? His recent passing shed light upon his life and accomplishments and answered most of our questions. Our hats are off to Yuri, and we are all proud that a person who came from our High School could have such a positive impact on so many lives.
Although the dates for the 2025 reunion have not been selected as of this email, all who wish to participate are welcome to join.
Viewing from front left: Ned Falk, Atlanta, GA; Tony D’Angelo, Columbus, OH (Eggert Road Alumni), Kevin Patrick Maloney, Miami, FL; Steve Nisberg, New Jersey, NYC suburbs; Peter Gordon, Sandy, UT; John Kim, Stowe, VT; Bruce Kohrn, Amherst, NY; Peter Mercer, Boulder, CO; Mark Hichar, Boston, MA; Rick Porter, Vero Beach, FL and Park City, UT; Michael Chardack, Salt Lake City, UT; Alex K. Local friend of the gathering.
Tiger Tracks 