WAYNESBORO, VA – Michael Alfred “Mike” Fink, 51, of Warwick, Queensland, Australia, and his mother, Akiko Akita “Mary” Fink of Waynesboro, VA, passed away on Monday, September 20, 2010 and Wednesday, September 22, 2010, respectively, both due to health-related causes.
Michael "Mike" Fink was born in Neubrucke, Germany, on Friday September 18, 1959, to Sergeant Major Alfred Leroy Fink and Akiko Akita Fink. Mike’s father was stationed in Baumholder, Germany with the 170th Infantry Brigade at the United States Army garrison at the time. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Alfred, on February 21, 2003.
Mike is survived by his wife, Christine Leanne Fink; and his children, Alex Michael Fink and Akiko Patricia Fink of Warwick, Queensland, Australia; his stepchildren, Cameron Kenneth Johnson and Mikayla Elan Johnson, also of Warwick, Queensland, Australia; his sister, Patricia Ann Sandquist of Nellysford, VA; his niece, Kirstin Springer Sandquist of Tokyo, Japan; his nephew, Michael Webb Sandquist of Boston, MA; and numerous cousins in Waynesboro, VA, Augusta County, VA, Texas and Georgia.
Upon graduation from Waynesboro High School in 1977, Mike furthered his education at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1981. In the ensuing years, he dedicated his professional focus to the field of Credit and Finance in both the consumer goods and automotive industries. When he relocated to Australia in 2002 to be with his future wife Christine, he continued in the same field, first in Charters Towers, and then in Warwick, both located in the state of Queensland.
His final occupation was as a Behavior Coach, working in the Warwick Public School System with troubled and disabled youth. In that position he found deep personal as well as professional satisfaction. He spoke warmly of the joy he felt in positively impacting the lives of his charges, and he was universally admired by the students and teachers for his abilities. His loss is felt deeply by them as well as by his wife, children, stepchildren and his Stateside family and friends.
Akiko Akita Fink was born in the Asakusa district of Tokyo, Japan, on November 3, 1932, to Itsuro Akita and Teru Matsubara. In addition to her son, she was preceded in death by her parents and, in 2003, by her only sister, Kazuko "Marie" Akita West as well as by her own beloved husband of 50 years, Command Sergeant Major Alfred Leroy Fink, United States Army, Retired.
She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Ann Sandquist of Nellysford, Virginia; her grandchildren, Kirstin Springer Sandquist of Tokyo, Japan, Michael Webb Sandquist of Boston, Massachusetts, Alex Michael Fink and Akiko Patricia Fink of Warwick, Queensland, Australia; and numerous nieces and nephews in Waynesboro, Augusta County, Texas and Georgia.
With the death of her parents as a result of the World War II Allied firebombing of Tokyo in April, 1945, Akiko and her sister bravely faced their lives as orphans in post-war Japan. After completing her secondary education, Akiko held a number of positions related to the United States Occupation Forces which allowed her to study and learn English as well as the American culture and customs. While working for the United States Military Post Office she met her future husband, Sergeant Alfred Fink, a member of those same Occupation Forces. They married in February of 1953. After various military postings in the United States and Europe, the Fink family settled in Waynesboro, VA in 1969 when CSM Fink, after 27 years active service, retired. Akiko worked many years as an expert seamstress for Augusta Interiors, gracing many area homes and businesses with her artfully-crafted window treatments to the great satisfaction and compliments of the firm's clientele.
In the years following her retirement from Augusta Interiors, she enjoyed traveling to the various cities and countries where her children and grandchildren resided, accentuating the joy she derived from being Obaachan (the Japanese translation of grandmother) to the special people in her life.
A private memorial service for Mike and Akiko Fink was held at the McDow Funeral Home Chapel on Monday September 27, 2010. During the service, their friends and family spoke openly and warmly of their love for the two of them and the many cherished memories they hold of them. It was a healing moment for the family; there were many laughs and tears as those who love them shared the privilege and joy of having known these two beautiful and remarkably kind people.
The memorial service was followed by a graveside service at Augusta Memorial Cemetery during which the cremated remains of Mike and Akiko Fink were interred together with those of their father and husband, Alfred Leroy Fink.
The family thanks all those who offered their prayers, condolences, memories and love during our incredibly trying time. In the same spirit of generosity which has always characterized the Fink family, you nurtured our bodies and hearts, you buoyed our spirits and you kept us going. For that, we offer you our undying gratitude.
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