1950
Manuel
2012
Manuel P. Zink
June 14, 1950 — July 21, 2012
SPENCER, MA – Manuel P. Zink, age 62, of Spencer, formerly of Winchendon, passed away at his home in Spencer on Saturday, July 21, 2012 due to medical conditions. He was born on June 14, 1950, the son of Peter Jochem Zink and Ingeborg Auguste Zink, in Karlsruhe, Germany. The family immigrated to the United States in 1955 and resided in California. Manuel graduated from Agoura High School and attended Moorpark College. He lived in Oregon and Colorado before moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he met and married Susan Swan on April 25, 1981. He was the proud father of a daughter, Jennifer Alden Zink, born in 1984, and a son, Jonathan Peter Swan Zink, born in 1986. The family moved to Winchendon in 1988, where Manuel resided until 2010.
Professionally, Manuel held the positions of Quality Assurance Engineer, Quality Assurance Manager, and Plant Manager at Euromatic Plastics. In 1995, Manuel bought LeBreton’s, a neighborhood store in Winchendon Springs and built a successful business as owner and operator of Gabby’s Deli and Jon’s Market, known best region-wide for its quality grinders. He returned to the Quality Assurance field after selling Gabby’s Deli and Jon’s Market in 2002, working in Boston, Framingham, and most recently in Brimfield. Through Vanderbilt University, Manuel earned his ISO certification, which he used in his positions and for his consulting business. In both Albuquerque and in Winchendon, Manuel combined his quality background and his love of woodworking to build custom-made furniture, toys, and display cases through his company, Woodcraft Specialties.
He is survived by his wife, Susan S. Zink, of Winchendon; his daughter, Jennifer Zink of Minneapolis, MN; his son, Jonathan Zink of Shrewsbury, MA; a half brother, Ali Zink of Bellflower, California; and his step-mother, LaRue T. Zink of Albuquerque, NM. Manuel was predeceased by his father, Peter J. Zink; his mother, Ingeborg Zink; and a cousin, Peter Thiess of Harbor City, California.
What the family wants remembered are the years he gave as a devoted, loving, creative, magical Dad and husband; the man who raced around the house with Jen and Jon on a stuffed horse, held up a star at the bedroom window as we sang Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, the flashlight expeditions around the pond at night to study the life under the water, the ball pit, the dry humor jokes; the man who could fix anything, who opened his heart and home to in-laws; and loved and took care of us all. He was the best. We want the community of Winchendon to remember the smiling face behind the counter at Gabby’s and his years of devoted service on the Winchendon Dive and Rescue Team, ready to answer a call for help - a time of his life when he was at his best. We were proud of him. Manuel’s demon, alcohol, began to gradually reappear, until, at the end of his life, it had full control. The family mourns the man he was and hates the disease that robbed us and the world of a truly good man.
At the request of the family, there will be a private service. Donations in his memory may be made to the Toy Town Dive and Rescue Team, c/o Winchendon Fire Department, 405 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475, in honor of the man who gave so much and left too soon.
Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is in charge of arrangements.
www.stone-ladeau.com
Professionally, Manuel held the positions of Quality Assurance Engineer, Quality Assurance Manager, and Plant Manager at Euromatic Plastics. In 1995, Manuel bought LeBreton’s, a neighborhood store in Winchendon Springs and built a successful business as owner and operator of Gabby’s Deli and Jon’s Market, known best region-wide for its quality grinders. He returned to the Quality Assurance field after selling Gabby’s Deli and Jon’s Market in 2002, working in Boston, Framingham, and most recently in Brimfield. Through Vanderbilt University, Manuel earned his ISO certification, which he used in his positions and for his consulting business. In both Albuquerque and in Winchendon, Manuel combined his quality background and his love of woodworking to build custom-made furniture, toys, and display cases through his company, Woodcraft Specialties.
He is survived by his wife, Susan S. Zink, of Winchendon; his daughter, Jennifer Zink of Minneapolis, MN; his son, Jonathan Zink of Shrewsbury, MA; a half brother, Ali Zink of Bellflower, California; and his step-mother, LaRue T. Zink of Albuquerque, NM. Manuel was predeceased by his father, Peter J. Zink; his mother, Ingeborg Zink; and a cousin, Peter Thiess of Harbor City, California.
What the family wants remembered are the years he gave as a devoted, loving, creative, magical Dad and husband; the man who raced around the house with Jen and Jon on a stuffed horse, held up a star at the bedroom window as we sang Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, the flashlight expeditions around the pond at night to study the life under the water, the ball pit, the dry humor jokes; the man who could fix anything, who opened his heart and home to in-laws; and loved and took care of us all. He was the best. We want the community of Winchendon to remember the smiling face behind the counter at Gabby’s and his years of devoted service on the Winchendon Dive and Rescue Team, ready to answer a call for help - a time of his life when he was at his best. We were proud of him. Manuel’s demon, alcohol, began to gradually reappear, until, at the end of his life, it had full control. The family mourns the man he was and hates the disease that robbed us and the world of a truly good man.
At the request of the family, there will be a private service. Donations in his memory may be made to the Toy Town Dive and Rescue Team, c/o Winchendon Fire Department, 405 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475, in honor of the man who gave so much and left too soon.
Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is in charge of arrangements.
www.stone-ladeau.com
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