RUSSELL FINK

1933 - 2016

Russell Lawrence Fink Born April 14th, 1933 - Tony, WI. Passed away on Friday, April 1st, 2016 - Casa Grande, AZ, after a long, active, for the most part healthy and prosperous life and retirement. He left the snowy cold homeland of Rusk County, WI in 1951 and moved west to the Elma/Malone area joining his then single father (and best friend) Richard "Ted" Fink working together at the McCleary Mill and logging at Camp Grisdale. Meeting Janet Lee Jacobus of Elma and marrying in 1953 and birth of first son Chuck in 1954, he joined the USAF and was an aircraft mechanic at McChord AFB from 1956, when and where youngest son Lee was born. After being honorably discharged in 1958 and buying their first home in Puyallup on the dead end 5th Ave SE, he worked at Boeing and then North Pacific Bank Note in Tacoma until 1964, when the family moved back to the Graham-Kapowsin area and bought and operated successfully the grocery store/gas station they called J&R Grocery at 288th and Meridian until they sold, later divorced and moved on. Russell settled in Aberdeen to be near family in 1976 and met his future partner Mary Anne Augustine around that time. They retired at the same time, he from Mayr Bros. in 1988, newly downsized full timers traveled for a few years all around the country, pulling in style in their Dodge diesel and 5th wheel trailer, usually wintering over in sunny AZ. Russell loved and enjoyed their winter home in Casa Grande where they were always busy and had many cherished fellow "snow-bird" friends from all over the country, some for many years. And they had a beautiful and much loved 10 acres with an RV spot enjoying the Spokane area summers while in the PNW later in retirement, finally selling and moving to the Vancouver area in 2010. Russell passed away after a short illness in the local hospital in AZ surrounded by those that he loved and those who loved and thought the world of him. Survived by his partner of 30+ years Mary Anne Augustine and family from the Vancouver area, eldest son Chuck Fink (Michelle) from Puyallup/South Hill, loving and dear sisters Betty Howey and sons of Sitka, AK, and whom he affectionately called "little sister" Patty Colton (Dale) and sons from Elma, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends from all over, also estranged grandson Joshua Fink, of Roy, WA. Russell was preceded in death by his youngest son Lee (Barbara) in MT in 2005 whom he missed terribly due to their especially close relationship, and his younger brother Richard "Buck" Fink (Barb) from Wasilla, AK who passed in 2004. Following his wishes there will be no services. Arrangements by J. Warren Funeral Services in Casa Grande. Interment will be with his maternal (Wymore) and paternal (Fink) grandparents at rest near the Flambeau River in Ladysmith, WI (a grandson returns home). As well, some of his ashes will be placed with his father Ted and son Lee in the family crypt at Fern Hill in Aberdeen (a son returns home). The family asks for prayers, kind words and thoughts regarding the sudden and unexpected passing of our family patriarch. The big guy with that quick, intelligent mind and gentle soul who always saw the goodness and grace in everyone - many times, especially later in life, whether they had any or not. Happy Birthday Pops!! We (continue to love and) miss you already