~ In Loving Memory of Geoffrey B. Fink ~
March 12, 1949 - September 13, 2014
“… And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
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Well just realized that Geoff would have celebrated his big 70th this month. We love you Dad. Miss you everyday 🙂
Jeff or Geoffery was a great friend, we were friends since 1965 where we worked at Safeway. We spent many evenings talking cars and world politics. I remember the days of the the TR3, the TR4 IRS and then I was shocked to see the Porche 54 that he had given up the TR4 for.
He took me to my first Fillmore concert in the 54 Porche. Funny thing happen there. We worked our way to the front and after a few minutes I noticed that my sister was right in front of me. Can you top that?
We had great fun that I can never forget. I will always miss you.
Last year you told me that you were so proud of your kids. Nataly the head hunter and Miles makin things better.
Life ended too soon for my good friend.
Goeff many of us loved you, you were a great person. Hope for you there is a better after party!
JIm Sanford
I knew Geoff many years ago working as a student intern at the USDA in Albany. He had finished his science degree and was our lab manager. I didn’t keep in touch, but I have thought about him many times over the years. He was truly a happy, genuine, caring man. I remember him taking about his love of his kids, his jogs with his dog, and his desire to teach high school. He made a big impression on me to grab life and make the most of it. Twenty years later when I decided to change careers into nursing I thought of Geoff and how he had drastically changed careers and how he described how much he enjoyed the journey. I wish I had kept in touch. I am very happy to have known him. My heart goes out to Bev and his family.
We were fortunate to spend time with Geoff two weeks ago when he and Bev came to visit us in the mountains of Colorado. We had an amazing time hiking, playing games, talking about other beautiful sites to enjoy on the drive and enjoying some fabulous meals and company. We can’t help but think of the great pictures and memories that Geoff and Bev shared with us and what a beautiful memento those photos provide to remember those happy and adventurous times together. It was such a pleasure to share beautiful sights and times with him. Our thoughts are with Bev and Geoff’s family – may you find peace and comfort in your amazing memories.
Geoff and I went thru the electrical apprenticeship together, in the mid 70’s, we became friends, commuted to school, studied, played tennis, ping pong , and chess when we could, he hated to lose. we worked on some jobs together also. Geoff was a very consciencetious worker and loved to argue politics, we had fun badgering and being sarcastic with each other. we have not kept in touch to much in our later years, he will be missed.
my heart is with his family
We first met Geoff on a “get-to-know-the-family” trip about five years ago. We had a wonderful dinner with him in Miles and Paget’s Carroll Street apartment in Oakland. He was engaging and interested in the lives of these Midwesterners from the cold climes of Illinois and we enjoyed a special evening with him and the “kids.” We could tell how proud he was of Miles and how kindly her treated our Paget.
When we returned to California for Miles and Paget’s wedding in 2011, we reaquainted ourselves with Geoff and met Beverly. This was a magical time of celebration and Geoff and Beverly were gracious and wonderful to us. We are so blessed that Paget has been part of Geoff’s family and that he helped raise Miles to be such a perfect partner for our daughter.
We didn’t get to know Geoff well, but we do know he was a man who made us feel welcomed into the “greater Fink family” and we’ll always be grateful for his love for Miles and Paget. We will miss him.
I didn’t know Geoff all that well – I remember him fondly from my childhood, when my sister and I would come and visit in Benicia. He was always kind, had an awesome workshop, always did a great BBQ and I always felt a kind affection from him. I most remember him going back to school — it was the first time I had ever seen an adult go back to school after leaving, and it impressed upon me a strong model of life-long learning in his example. Now that I’ve myself returned back to school this semester for my Masters, I have thought on him even before the sad news. It sounds as if I’ve missed out on an amazing man, but I do have a second chance in growing closer with my cousins, and will honor his memory in the best way that I can.
Geoff was an avid hiker, an enthusiastic golfer, an accomplished Mexican Train player, a Giants baseball aficionado , a very practical guy and had a special sense of humor. Over the last 18 months he became a very very close friend. We hit it off quickly, we had so many similar interests and attitudes to life. Denise and I and Beverly and Geoff would plan to meet up in Arnold. We did a lot of real fun things together and thoroughly enjoyed his exceptional company. We have lost a dear friend and for Denise a wonderful cousin. Geoff will always be in our thoughts and minds. We will look back and enjoy the memories we did have together.
Dear Bev,
After reading all the posts about geoff, it’s my loss to never have met him. I know him only through A&H, who loved him and you with him. I too have a late – blooming relationship, and Goeff ‘ s untimely death confirms more strongly the fragility of life.
Let memories of his love of you and life support you in this sad time and going forward.
My thoughts are with you.
Love
Pat
I remember Bev telling us about meeting a guy who might be “the one” and it was a delight to hear about their budding romance. Geoff and Bev seemed so easy going together and I thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent with them at the cabin. I didn’t know Geoff very long, but I did know he was a gracious host, incredibly skilled at home improvements and all around nice guy. I also know he will be greatly missed.
I did not know Geoff as well as I should or could have. We had in common a deep love for his two children. I saw him at family gatherings and we talked some, but never got to know him like I really should. I think it was my loss. He was indeed always kind and considerate to me and it showed that he loved his kids. A good man who died much too young. His passing will be missed.
I am so deeply saddened by Geoff’s sudden passing. Beverly and I have been best friends since very early childhood, in fact our mothers knew each other before we were born. Bev and I have been very close and have shared stories, talking on the phone for hours during our teen years, discussing in detail every boy we ever had crushes on, held hands with and in later years more serious relationships. In all her years, never did she share a love that came anything close to the love she shared with Geoff. What a perfect match. I had never seen her so happy.
When I came to visit and met Geoff I was so impressed with the way he treated Beverly. As a fierce protector of my best friend, not only did I have no complaints, I was overcome by the tenderness of his treatment toward her. Geoff always complimented Bev and told her how nice she looked and was so happy to help her. He was rewiring her house and putting in conduit, a word I hadn’t known before. We joked about electrician terminology. I had a wonderful visit and left with my heart full of joy for Beverly.
Beverly and Geoff’s friends and family are lucky to have had him in their lives; he was a shining example of what a man should be. My heart aches.
-Margery Cohen
Forever grateful to have known Geoff. We met as neighbors living across the street from the City Park when Natalie and Miles were little. He is one of the sweetest men I have ever known and I have some great memories of him that I hold dear in my heart.
Deep peace and blessings to those he leaves behind.
Sara
Papa G, as Miles and I often affectionately called him, was an inspiration. He loved being outdoors and sharing his enthusiasm for the next big adventure. He was a passionate vegetarian and volunteer who was committed to helping those in need. I have so many fond memories of him: the first time we met at a vegan restaurant in Berkeley, the eight mile hike we went on to celebrate his 60th birthday at Pinnacles National Park, helping Miles move our treasured 10 foot salmon pink couch up four flights of stairs, watching the survivalist documentary “Into the Wilderness” with him at the cabin, walking together in a crowd of thousands to shut down the Port of Oakland during the Occupy General Strike, sharing his homemade “tofurkey” and famous mushroom gravy, his competitive spirit playing dominos with family and friends, and of course his love of projects!
Geoff was always teaching himself new things and loved a challenge. His “project list” for the family cabin was a source of pride and conversation. One of the first projects that he undertook at the cabin was the design and woodworking of a personalized sign for “The Fink-Smith Clubhouse.” I remember him hanging it up on Christmas Day with the joy of a young kid. I will always be thankful for having been able to get to know him over the past seven years and will miss him so much. I am thankful that Miles had such a wonderful and loving Dad.
I knew Geoff through Beverly and thought he was a great guy and the perfect partner for Bev. They seemed to get along so well from the very beginning. I always thought of them as one of those couples who we’re meant to be together and assumed they’d have at least another 20 years together. When we’d visit him and Bev at the cabin, he’d grill dinner, usually fish for himself and meat for the rest of us, even though he was a vegetarian. Now that’s being a gracious host. I’ll always remember the relaxed, easy-going, generous guy who made Bev and the other people in his life so happy.
Geoff was one of my best friends.
He lit up a room with his smile and warmth.
I met him 12 years ago through my husband, Dana. They were High School friends.
I felt like I had known him forever. He was always interested in your life and was such a great listener. He had a sharp wit and deep intellect. He was compassionate about politics and the underdog.
He was a lover of nature.
He took excellent care of his health by exercising and eating well.
He cared about my Artwork which I appreciated very much.
Geoff adored his adult children and grandchild and spoke of each one often.
Beverly was such a light in his life!! They had so much in common and loved each other very much. I love seeing pictures of them smiling. I had never seen Geoff so happy as when he met Beverly, a dear, lovely person.
I will miss Geoff forever and forever keep him in my heart.
Best of friends for over 40 years, I was most fortunate to have been able to share my life with Geoff. As the saying goes,” you don’t really get to know someone until you’ve lived with them”, well, we lived together off and on in different locations from 19 years of age until we were 25. From an apartment in Pleasant Hill while attending DVC, to S.J. while attending S. J. State, to living 200 ft. from the beach in Santa Cruz , and then Walnut Creek, Geoff was always looking forward to the next adventure. Many memories: splitting a six-pack while listening for our draft lottery numbers. Receiving number 356 shaped Geoff’s decision to delay his quest for a higher education. Backpacking in Yosemite, crabbing on the Santa Cruz pier, living in W.C. with Geoff and his dog Blue, (his constant companion) to playing many rounds of golf. Most memorable round was when the golf pro at Mare Island told Geoff he qualified for the senior rate. Geoff was always there for me and my family, a kind and giving soul, may you rest in peace.
Geoff was my life partner, my best friend, my lover, my most honest critic. He was the one who poked fun at my many peccadilloes, who accepted me for who I was and loved me like no other man I’ve ever known. He made me push my own limits farther than I could have ever thought possible. His passing is going to be a huge loss for me, his family and the many people who’s lives he touched. I will never stop missing him.
My Dad taught me to always appreciate the finer things in life, to look beyond the surface and to question everything. He was caring, compassionate, hardworking, passionate, and funny. I’m so thankful for the love he showed me. I feel so lucky to have had him as my Father. I love you Dad.