NORWICH – Richard C. Fink, Sr., 72, of Norwich, passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 17, 2008 at his home.
Born in Oneonta in May of 1935, Rich was the son of Ralph and Mildred (Kettle) Fink. He attended the Oneonta schools as he was growing up, and entered the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, serving his country for 8 years and returning home with his honorable discharge. Rich was a 28-year employee of the Norwich Shoe Company from which he retired in 1990, and had concurrently worked as a Brinks Security Guard. An avid hunter and fisherman, he was a member of long-standing of the Norwich American Legion Post #189. On Aug. 24, 1963, in Norwich, Rich married Helen Beach.
Rich is survived by his wife, Helen Fink of Norwich; and by his children and their spouses: Sheridan and Madelin Stone of South Plymouth, Sherry and John Wellman of Norwich, Skip and Cathy Stone, Jr., of Sherburne, Tammie and Bruce Shepard of Norwich, Richard and Carol Fink Jr. of East Pharsalia, Kemmie Fink of Greene, and Barbie Fink of Trumansburg. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Tammy Whaley of Cortland and her children Alexis Pierson, Latasia and Dreyanna Thomas, and Ashley Pitts; Christopher Stone of Norwich, his children, Jessica, Paige, and Bryce Stone and their mom, Monica Stone; Andy Stone and wife Jessica of Norwich and their children Mallory, Ian, Landen, and Caden Stone; Joe Stone and wife Amy of Northwood, Ohio, and their daughter Tonya; Yalanda and Shyamia Stone of Norwich, Holly and Nicole Wellman, and Nathan Beckwith and his daughter Kylee Beckwith; Lynn Prosser and husband Corey of Sherburne and their children Dustin and Dylon Dunagan and Damien Marshall; Michael Stone and wife Lynnanne of Otselic and their children Eva, Emma, Ebony, and Michael Jr.; Michele Nelson and husband David of Sherburne, and their children Brandon Conners, Jesse Stone, and Breanna Backo; Patrick Stone and significant other Nadine Spencer of Smyrna and their children Dalton, Tessia, Chloe, and Patrick Stone Jr. Also surviving are grandchildren: Genevie Moore and husband Keith of Oxford and their children Taylor, Brooke, and Ethan Moore; Tanya Blackman and her significant other Ken Chrisbacher of Norwich and their daughter Hailee Blackman; Andrea Blackman and fiance Brandon Jones of Norwich and their daughter Trinity Jones; Stacy Camacho and husband Sal of Arizona and their children Damian and Leigh Camacho; Holly Scott and husband Jason and their children Nathan Scott and Cora Shepard; Rachel Shepard and her children Tiffany, Pete, Michael, and Shania Brown; Mandy Marvel and husband Ryan and their sons Timothy and Theodore Marvel; and Richard Fink III of Norwich. Rich’s sister. Jenny Phillips of Ocala, Fla.; his nieces and nephews: Lorie Summers, Valerie Robdnnolt, and John Phillips; and grand nieces and nephews Heather, Michele, Justin, Rebecca, and Angela also survive.
Rich was predeceased by his brothers, Freddy and Jerry Fink; granddaughter, Dodie Whaley; and great grandson. Deacon McCall Prosser.
Funeral services for Rich will be held at 1 p.m. Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Neil Bendixen, Pastor of the Canasawacta Valley Free Methodist Church, will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.