Obituary of James J. Vink

James J. “Jim” Vink, 83, of Troy, beloved husband for 56 years to Versa N. McDermott Vink of Troy, peacefully entered eternal life surrounded by his daughters on Friday, September 29, 2023, at Samaritan Hospital while in the care of Hospice.

Born in Albany, NY, he was the son of Michael “Micky” and Mary Plasse Stott and John Vink. Jim was a graduate of Albany High School and a veteran. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1960 to 1965 achieving rank of Corporal at the time of his Honorable Discharge in 1965. He had previously served in as an Army Reservist with the New York Army National Guard as a Specialist Fourth Class E-4 and received his Honorable Discharge from there in 1959 and 1960 as a result of re-enlisting.

Mr. Vink retired from The Hartford Insurance Group in Albany where he had been Mail and Supply Supervisor and Clerk for over 30 years. Throughout his life he also held several other positions including bingo inspector, census worker, gas station attendant and file clerk for a dentist office, insurance agency and claims attorney.

He was an avid reader, occasional stamp collector and unsuccessful fisherman. Jim also loved to watch old Westerns, Detective, War and Kung-Fu movies and TV shows. As a child, he’d often spend his day at the local movie theater watching news reels, cartoons, serials and double feature movies.

Jim was a member of the Melvin Roads American Legion Post #1231 in East Greenbush and had been a Deacon, a Sunday School Teacher and Choir member at the Community Congregational Church of Clinton Heights.

Beloved husband of Versa, devoted father of Dawn Vink (Bruce Mereness) and Sherry Stevens (Preston Stevens).  Brother of Patricia VanWie (John VanWie), the late John “Buddy” Vink, Jr (the late Barbara Vink). and the late Mary LaRue (the late Tony LaRue).  Cherished grandfather of Daphne Stevens, Spence Mereness, Hunter Stevens and Parker Mereness, loving son-in-law of Anna McDermott.  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

The Vink family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the nursing and Hospice staff at Samaritan Hospital in Troy for their kindness and understanding during the past few months.

Please join the family at "Jimmyfest" on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Tighe's Bistro Americain "TBA", 2703 NY Hwy 43, Averill Park, NY 12018. Hosted by Dawn Vink, Sherry Stevens and Versa Vink, they ask you to breakout your best button down shirt (plaid always looks sharp) with white t-shirt, put a hanky in your pocket and come and celebrate the life and times of the one (and only) James J. "Jim" Vink. Please share your memories and have fun with the familyas he is honored for the man they called "Jim"/"Daddy"/"Poppy." There is to be more laughter than terars because he would have wanted it that way.

Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to the American Lung Association www.lung.org or to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation www.vfw.org/foundation  in memory of James J. “Jim” Vink.

Private funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Morris-Stebbins-Miner & Sanvidge Funeral Home, 312 Hoosick Street, Troy, NY 12180.

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