Jay Alan Fink

Jay Alan Fink, beloved husband, father and papa, joined his Heavenly Father on Monday, the 10th of July 2023 at the age of 75.
Jay was born December 10, 1947 and has lived his entire life in Eaton Rapids. The son of a dairy farmer, Jay grew up raising and caring for cows and helping out on the family farm. He learned about life, work ethic, and the value of family from his father who was his hero. He spent time building a network of friends and neighbors that has lasted a lifetime. He enjoyed playing baseball for Eaton Rapids High School, continuing for many years playing on local softball leagues, coaching church softball, listening to the Tigers games, and of course, rooting on his beloved Spartans.
Jay was very entrepreneurial – at a young age he earned money from the cows he raised and sold. He proudly purchased his first car at 16, the first of many sweet rides with speakers in the back. Afterall, music was Jay’s passion. He was known to have had the best selection of 45s including his favorites: The Beach Boys and The Four Seasons.
Jay received his enlistment papers from Uncle Sam in 1968 and served in Korea during the Vietnam War. He was a patriot all his life and loved his country. After his tour, Jay returned to Eaton Rapids and began his 47-year career at Commercial Blueprint in Lansing.
Little did Jay know that on a blind date in 1969, he’d meet the love of his life. From that first date, he was smitten and married Beverly Bennett on June 25, 1971. As Bev would later recount, Jay was the spitting image of Robert Redford and so, as she puts it, “I really didn’t have a choice.” Together, they enjoyed a marriage of true friendship, laughter, and fun and raised three loving daughters who were his pride and joy.
He treated everyone he met as a friend. He filled his life with service to others, dispensing wisdom, good cheer, kindness and fun to everyone. The bank teller, the cashier, and always the salesperson would get an unsolicited dose of Jay’s charm. He had a gift of gab and loved hearing and sharing a good story. He never let a day go by without laughter and a hug. His kindness, sincere interest, and warmth touched everyone he met, and he will be greatly missed.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents, June and Norman Fink. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Beverly (Bennett) Fink; daughters, Rachelle (Jon) LoDuca, Kari (Jeff) Panse, and Stacey (Joe) Shemanski; his brothers, Dan (Sarah) Fink and Tom (Dianne) Hagren; his cherished nine grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at St. James Catholic Church in Mason. The family will receive friends at the church starting at 10:00 a.m. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.