Francis Van Tine

NEWPORT NEWS - Francis "Van" Van Tine, Beloved Father, Grandfather, Father-in-Law passed away Oct. 6, 2008, - 93 years old, active until day of his death. Memorial service at 2 p.m., Nov. 22, at Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Peninsula, 415 Youngs Mill Lane, Newport News, 249-0215.
He lived with son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren in Newport News.
Born in Hoboken, N.J., in 1915, to ship captain's daughter and a longshoreman, he grew up in New York City. He had 6 brothers.
At 14, during Great Depression, he left school to work as page boy on Wall St. – Chase Manhattan Bank. Was sole support of his family.
He served in WWII - Army Tank Destroyers and tail-gunner in Army Air Corp.
After WWII, Francis married his sweetheart, poet, Evelyn Sylvia Haynes. He, worked for Bethlehem Steel as accountant, Federal Civil Service as Fiscal Officer, Fort Wadsworth and Camp Kilmer. His only child, Robin, born in Tottenville, Staten Island, New York City.
He moved his family to Merritt Is., Fla., in 1956 to work at Patrick AFB as comptroller until, at 45, risked all to become artist for the space program at Cape Canaveral, creating beautiful paintings of imagined future space missions, some displayed in Washington, D.C.
Francis was present for Mercury, Gemini, Apollo missions, witnessing America's leap into space. Some of his art even orbited Earth in a capsule, later presented to President Lyndon Johnson.
After Apollo program wound down, he became staff artist, Dept of Defense, Race Relations Inst.(now Equal Employment Opportunity Management Inst.)
He retired in 1982 and founded 16-piece "Big Band", The Silvertones. All members had to have silver hair to join! Played banjo/guitar.
Upon beloved wife Evelyn's death, he joined his son, Robin's family, and led an active life in Newport News, participating in all family outings, including canoeing on Warwick River. He played banjo at convalescent homes, formed a trio, -- "Three Men and a Tub" - banjo, piano, washtub bass. For many years, he and son together, entertained Bayside of Poquoson patients with "Big Band" / 'Swing Music". Often played billiards at Obelisk & Break-Away. Probably oldest "shooter" on Peninsula.
He is survived by son, Robin, daughter-in-law, Lucy, his grandchildren Tristan, Ada and Skye van Tine.
He was a kind, warm, generous, gentle, humorous man – full of life and love right to the end. His family attributes his long-life, at least partially, to his positive attitude. He never uttered a negative word about any other human being – he was friendly and accepting to everyone he met. He will be terribly missed by all who loved him or knew him. Blessed Be! View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.