Randie Brewer

Randie N. Brewer

Randie Norman Brewer, age 79, of Hornell, New York, entered his eternal home on September 22, 2025. Randie was born on November 13, 1945, at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, New York, to Sarah (Smith) and Marion Brewer, joining his three brothers, Marion Jr. (the late Marilyn Brewer), Robert (Karen Brewer), and James (Geri Brewer) and four sisters, Patricia (the late Keith Palmiter), Norma (Philip Hurd), Suzanne (Ernie Kelly), and Deanna (Donald Cook). Later, they added four more siblings, Joseph (Linda Brewer), Joan (Peter Sawinski), David, and William Tracy (Luly Brewer). Two additional sisters, Beverly and Kay, passed away as infants. Along with his infant sisters, Randie's parents, his brothers, Marion Jr., JB, and David, and his sisters, Pat, Norma, and Joan, all preceded him in death. Randie was an avid Little League baseball player in his younger years. In high school, Randie played soccer and was a bowling phenom. He worked late nights at the bowling alley, which made it difficult to make it to school on Fridays; the school nurse, Mrs. Gray, would come knocking on his door to get him to school. Thanks to her, he graduated from Hornell High School with the Class of 1964. He immediately enlisted in the Air Force for a four-year stint during the Vietnam Conflict but remained stateside. He met the love of his life, Darlene Marie Cook, daughter of the late James (Charlie) and Bernice Cook, also of Hornell, shortly after finishing high school. They married on November 4, 1967, at East Avenue United Methodist Church in Hornell and had two girls, Beth and Michelle, raising them in their family home, built by Darlene's grandfather, on Turnpike Road. Later, Randie's nephew, John Jackson Jr. (Frannie Jackson), joined the family, finally giving him a boy to roughhouse with. After returning to Hornell, following his years in the military, Randie worked at Keys Pharmacy while attending college at Alfred State College, where he received his AAS in business administration, and then became a cost accountant at Corbins Wood Products. After Corbins closed, he spent the rest of his career working at Alfred State College, finishing as a supervising painter and serving several years as the CSEA (union) President; he also ran the work study program for students during the summers. He spent numerous summers coaching Little League baseball and served as an umpire for many softball games when his girls played in the Cinderella softball league. Randie was also a dedicated member of the East Avenue United Methodist Church as his kids were growing up and served as a lay speaker. Randie and Dar have six grandchildren who are their pride and joy. Their oldest daughter Beth (Brewer) Dragonetti has two daughters, Stacie Shutt (wife of Craig Ronquillo) and Aubrey Dragonetti, and one son, Adam Brewer. Their youngest daughter, Michelle (Brewer) Tillotson (John Tillotson) also has two daughters, Sarah (David Rojas), Rebecca (Alex Anderson), and Noah (Teah Tillotson). Later in life, eight great-grandchildren joined the family: Keegan and Jennavicia Cavallaro, the son and daughter of Aubrey; Olivia and Leonel, the daughter and son of Sarah and David; Baylor and Finnick, the daughter and son of Rebecca and Alex; and Wesson and Magnolia, the son and daughter of Noah and Teah. Randie was a man of integrity, strength, and service, not only to his country but to his family and community. He was also known to have quite a sense of humor. As a Brewer, his sarcasm was fine-tuned. He was a self-proclaimed "Pepsi-holic," a diehard Colts and Peyton Manning fan (even in their rough years), and a sports fanatic. Dar would find him asleep on the couch many nights with the TV still on some sports channel. He loved watching football but would watch just about any sport- baseball, basketball, and even soccer when Adam would talk him into it. If you wanted to talk sports, he was your man. He was an eclectic collector of a variety of memorabilia (as the state of his Man Cave shows), including Colts memorabilia, bells, bears, tools (five of each kind), glass, western antiques, and all things "American." He loved shooting great photos, videography, talking to just about anyone he met, family reunions at Twin Ponds, late-night phone calls with his nephew Johnny and his brothers, winning raffles (especially at the family white elephant sale), classic oldies from the 1950s, soul music, singing to his bride, and grabbing her for a quick spin. Most of all, Randie was a family man. He poured into the lives of his siblings, wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling to Colorado to see his Colorado Clan (as he called them), and for the grandchildren and great-grands who were lucky enough to live close by, he poured into them daily, which is why this parting is especially hard. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren have lost their biggest fan, encourager, and protector, and they will forever miss him. The one word that truly explains the life Randie led on this earth is agape. Agape is a Greek word that means self-sacrificial love. He was dedicated to bettering the lives of everyone around him. He walked in love, and his passing has left a huge hole in our hearts. In addition to those spoken of already, Randie was preceded in death by two great-grandbabies, Baby Rojas and Ily Anderson, and is survived by numerous cousins, in-laws, nephews, nieces, and friends. Calling hours will be Friday, October 3, 2025, at Brown and Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo St., Hornell, NY, 4-5 p.m. for immediate family, 5-7 p.m. open to the public. The Memorial Service honoring Randie's life will be held at the First Baptist Church of Avoca, 1 Church St., Avoca, NY, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025, with Pastor Brandon McAfee officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Randie's memory to Tunnels to Towers, Wounded Warriors, or the charity of the donor's choice