![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dagonfuneralhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Terry-Brookins-Photo-250x301.jpg\")
Terry E. Brookins, Sr. \u2013 71 \u2013 of 268 Grand St., Hornell, died Thursday evening (July 28, 2022) at his home following a brief illness, surrounded by his wife and daughter.<\/p>\nTerry E. Brookins, Sr. \u2013 71 \u2013 of 268 Grand St., Hornell, died Thursday evening (July 28, 2022) at his home following a brief illness, surrounded by his wife and daughter.<\/p>\n
Born in Olean, NY on March 12, 1951, he was the son of Fred & Ruth (Hale) Brookins.<\/p>\n
Terry grew up in Hinsdale, NY and was a graduate of Hinsdale High School (class of 1969).\u00a0 He was a veteran of the US Army, serving his country from 1971 \u2013 1981 (during the Vietnam Conflict).\u00a0 While in the Army, Terry was stationed in Baumholder and Bremerhaven Germany with the 293rd<\/sup> Engineer Battalion, in Ft. Bliss, TX and Ft. Devens, MA.\u00a0 Throughout his service years, Terry received many awards and recognitions, and was honorably discharged with the rank of SPEC 5.\u00a0 Terry enjoyed the time he spent serving his country, especially his tours in Germany.\u00a0 He loved talking about the people he met, the things he did, and places he visited.\u00a0 Terry especially loved talking about the time he walked the length of the airplane all the way to Germany holding, and consoling, his infant son, and about how his daughter loved driving her purple \u201cCuda\u201d pedal-car around, while being stationed at Fort Bliss.<\/p>\n Throughout the years, Terry was employed as a truck driver, using the CB handle \u201cMunchkin.\u201d\u00a0 Terry drove for numerous trucking companies in Massachusetts, New York, and Texas, driving throughout the United States.\u00a0 His favorite items to haul were apples & trees.\u00a0 While stationed in Germany Terry belonged to, and was the president of, a CB Radio Club; his original CB handle was \u201cPapa Hinsdale,\u201d but was later changed to \u201cTinkerbell,\u201d because that was the name his daughter wanted him to use.<\/p>\n A collector of firearms, Terry previously owned several rifles, shotguns, and pistols, one was a limited-edition NYS issued Police Revolver, number 25 of 50.\u00a0 He also enjoyed owning and riding horses throughout the countryside.\u00a0 Terry loved watching Action and Western TV shows and movies. In recent years Terry took pride in rebuilding and restoring his 1997 Chevy Silverado Z71.<\/p>\n Those who knew Terry best, knew he was a proud, simple, and easy to please, man.\u00a0 He was kind, gentle, giving, and loving man, putting the wants and needs of others before his own, even if it meant he went without.\u00a0 Terry would do everything he could to help other people.<\/p>\n Terry often mentioned how much he enjoyed living on Grand St., \u201cit\u2019s a very good neighborhood with great neighbors, you can\u2019t do much better than this.\u201d\u00a0 He liked that the neighborhood was nice, peaceful, and clean.\u00a0 He often said it was one of the best areas he had lived in.<\/p>\n Terry was preceded in death by his brother, David Brookins.<\/p>\n On March 29, 2008, Terry married the former Tammy Shepard who survives.\u00a0 Also surviving are his son, Terry (Michelle) Brookins, Jr., of Freeport, FL, and daughter, Aimee Brookins Bautista of Sherman, TX; step-children, John (Stephanie) Rosemier of Hornell, NY, Daniel (Tabitha) Rosemier of Oak Harbor, WA on Whidbey Island, and Cassie (Ben) Feenaughty of Hornell; brother, Larry (Shawne) Brookins of Olean; half-sister, Cyndi West of Bradford, PA; mother in-law Clara Shepard of Hornell, NY; sisters in-law, Donna Brookins of Clifton Springs, NY, Deborah (Tom) Hunt of Arkport, NY, Cheryl Shepard of Hornell, NY, and Patricia (Patrick) Dennis of Cape Coral, FL; and brother in-law Stephen (Merry) Shepard of Oak Harbor, WA on Whidbey Island, WA.\u00a0 Terry was lovingly known as \u201cBeba\u201d to his three grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; three great-granddaughters (who were his pride and joy).\u00a0 Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, and special friends\/neighbors Don Kelley, Mary Liz Schwartz, and Frank Poorman.<\/p>\n The family of Terry E. Brookins SR will receive friends on Sunday, August 7, 2022 from 3:00 PM \u2013 4:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.\u00a0 A Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 4:00 PM with Father Stan Kacprzak officiating.<\/p>\n Terry\u2019s family requests that any memorial contributions be made in his name, on behalf of Riley Bentley, to the NTSAD Organization, donations may be made online at NTSAD.org or by mail to NTSAD, 2001 Beacon St., Suite 204, Boston, MA 02135.<\/p>\n In recognition to Terry\u2019s service to his country as a member of the US Army, the American Flag at the Dagon Funeral Home will be flown at half-staff.<\/p>\n