Earl J. Tinker, Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Earl J. Tinker, Jr., 89, of Syracuse, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2021. He was born in Syracuse on November 17, 1931, son of the late Earl J. Tinker, Sr., and Diana Farley Tinker. He grew up in North Syracuse and attended H.W. Smith Technical High School, Industrial electronics program and North Syracuse High School. On September 26, 1953, he married Janet Mathews and was devoted to her over the 67 years of their marriage. Because he was a wise man, he lovingly called her “Chief”. He was a life-long, active, and supportive member of IBEW Local 43, where he was instrumental in establishing its credit union and left an indelible mark on generations of apprentices as a teacher in the union's Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee apprenticeship program for twenty years. He never missed the union’s annual clambake. He earned a Certificate of Completion from the University of Tennessee from the NJATC/UT Instructor Training Institute for teaching his trade. He was a member of the National Electrical Contractors Association and received the Service award in 1994. He participated in the union’s program to provide electricity merit badge training to area scouts. He was an AARP driving instructor for senior citizens for many years. He was employed by BEC Electric for over twenty years where he worked as General Foreman managing large crews of Electricians for many local construction projects. He also worked as an Electrician for the City of Syracuse in the Department of Transportation. He was a life-long member of St. Daniel’s Parish, an usher, and dedicated volunteer. He was a loving and supportive son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was known to laugh out loud, especially at his own jokes. He loved to talk and laugh with family and friends at his kitchen table over coffee or a Heineken and he never passed up an opportunity for a Heid’s hot dog! He preferred the Coney - and make it a double. He was an avid bowler on a Team that was aptly named the “Tigers”. He delighted in collecting stamps starting as a teenager and throughout his life. He spent many happy days with his son and son-in-law stalking whitetail deer in the woods of northern and eastern New York. He loved playing hearts and pitch, and he and Janet played pinnacle regularly with their neighbors and life-long friends Patrick and Mary Fiorenza. Earl and Janet had the foresight to build a cottage on the sandy beach shore of Lake Ontario lovingly called “Camp”, where children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family and friends experienced joy, sumptuous Camp meals prepared by Janet and her 3 daughters, and deep discussion late into the night around the beach bonfire, with an occasional kick-ball game thrown in. The grandchildren usually let Earl win. Earl is survived by his wife Janet M. Tinker, four children: David E. Tinker (Rebecca), Denise T. Miller (Thomas), Mary Beth Togni (James), and Sheila T. Reichert (Joseph); grandchildren: Jeffrey and Jennifer Tinker, Jessica Rossetti, Stephanie Barlow, Zachary Miller, David and Lianna Kendig, Jacob and Alexandra Reichert; great-grandchildren: Ella and Hayden Rossetti, Ava and Finn Barlow, Brody and Gavin Miller; brother: Harold D. Tinker; sisters-in-law: Charlotte Dlugolenski and Grace Piano; Kathy Cole, devoted care-giver; and many nieces and nephews, including Diane Dlugolenski who usually let him win their many games of pitch. He is predeceased by his mother Diana F. Tinker, his father Earl J. Tinker Sr., his brother Robert Tinker, brothers-in-law Frank Dlugolenski, Richard Mathews, and Celestino J. Mathews, Jr., sisters-in-law Ruth Melfi and Anne Huff, nephew Francis Dlugolenski, and life-long friends Patrick and Mary Fiorenza. A Funeral Mass in celebration of Earl’s life will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 10 a.m. in St. Daniel’s Church, 3004 Court St., Syracuse. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Road (Corner of Buckley Road) in North Syracuse. All NYS guidelines for religious and funeral services will be followed. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter, 441 West Kirkpatrick Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 www.alz.org/centralnewyork

Earl J. Tinker, Jr.

November 17, 1931 - March 31, 2021