The Rev. Harold Van Wely Vink, 90, peacefully passed into the loving arms of his Lord Jesus Christ surrounded by his family on November 30, 2023, after suffering a stroke. Known as Hal since his college days, he was born on September 15, 1933, to Gertrude, at home in Carmel, NY, birthed by his father, Dr. Garrett Vink. Along with attending schools in Carmel, Hal also went to the St. Thomas Boys’ Choir School in Manhattan for 2 years, embedding in him a lifelong love for music. Upon graduation from high school, Hal went to Union College in Schenectady, NY, where initially he was a pre-med major. While there he was a “loyal Sigma Chi” fraternity brother, active with the chapel, and involved with the theater. Having heard a calling from God to “Heal the soul rather than the body,” as his father put it, Hal changed his major to theological studies. It was through his participation in a play with an interfaith group that he met his beloved wife Jane Santer. On June 23 of this past year they celebrated 67 years of marriage. Upon graduation from Union College, Hal became a student at Yale University Divinity School in New Haven, CT. As a student pastor, he worked at Methodist Churches in Ansonia and Thomaston, and after graduating with his Master’s Degree in Divinity in 1959, he became the pastor of the New Milford, CT, Methodist Church. It was there that Hal and Jane’s 3 children, Martha, Paul, and Elizabeth, were born. Hal later served the Methodist Church in Great Neck, NY; Bushwick Parish in Brooklyn, NY; St. John’s United Methodist Church in Elmont, NY; and Nichols United Methodist Church, Trumbull, CT. In 2000 Hal and Jane retired from Nichols, and moved to Milford, CT. In his retirement, Hal continued to serve God at the Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church in Milford, where he was the Assistant Pastor for a number of years, leading Prayer and Healing Services and Bible Studies, counseling, preaching, singing in the choir, and many other activities. He was not about to let retirement or a loss of vision stop him from serving the God he loved!
Hal’s concern for the community and his creativity were always at work. In Bushwick he helped establish a Headstart Program for children. While there he welcomed both Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and Coretta Scott King as speakers. Working with a wonderful staff, Hal was instrumental in the creation of a musical program called “The Way Out,” which resulted in a record album by their choirs. At St. John’s he established a church theater group, The St. John’s Players, which put on many well-received plays and musicals. He wrote one of his own, called “Bible Folk” and directed the youth group in the musical “Godspell.”
Throughout his career, Hal was involved in many United Methodist ministries beyond the local church. He worked with youth from all over the New York Conference at their church camps, Quinipet and Epworth, was the Conference Youth Coordinator for the New York Annual Conference, and served as Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry, among many other Conference activities. In addition, Hal led several trips to the Holy Land with his churches, and took youth on mission trips with the Appalachia Service Project. In his retirement, Hal and Jane traveled to Nicaragua to work with impoverished families rebuilding their lives. They also were part of two delegations from Mary Taylor to work with the Volunteers in Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina. Known for his singing and playing, Hal was part of a ukulele band which played at local nursing homes and community events.
Hal also became very involved with the International Interdenominational Christian group, Tres Dias, now known in Fairfield County as “Footsteps in the Sand.” He was a Spiritual Director on many weekends both in the US and in England, sharing his love of Christ, his gift of song, and his delight in “holy rowdiness.” He touched countless lives with his faith, his wisdom, and his joy in living.
Hal enjoyed traveling, and took his family on wonderful vacations every summer, camping on Cape Cod, and going to “Vink Island,” the special place on Ashby Lake in Canada that his father and Garrett’s best friend Jack found in their quest for excellent fishing. That became a favorite pastime for Hal as well. He and Jane also enjoyed trips to Europe, including the Netherlands, where his father’s family originated, Arizona, the Badlands, and other interesting places. Hal loved music, and was known for his singing in churches, on retreats, and in other venues. He imparted his love of music to his children, sharing everything from classical to Gospel to rock and roll. One of Hal’s favorite hobbies in his retirement was gardening. He loved having his hands in God’s good earth, and his dahlias proved he didn’t need to have perfect vision to grow gorgeous flowers. Though he couldn’t see them well, he shared their beauty for others to enjoy.
In recent years, life was more challenging, but Hal rarely complained. He whistled and sang throughout his days; he loved sitting on his back deck and taking “laps” around his home; he appreciated the help he received from others, including his devoted wife Jane, along with church members and friends. Hal loved Jane whole-heartedly to the end, as well as the rest of his family. He truly was a happy soul, and he is deeply missed.
The family was delighted to celebrate Hal in September with a 90th birthday party at the church, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He was able to bask in the love that people have felt for him, and that was a gift. The family is thankful for all who gave their support and love to Hal throughout his many (but not enough for his family and friends) years. There are abundant stories that could fill multiple books!
Hal is survived by Jane, their children Rev. Martha E. Vink, Paul T. Vink (Christine), and Elizabeth J. Costello (Michael); his sister, Gari Anne Banks; his brother Walter Vink (Lee); his grandchildren Julia, Bethany, Timmy, and Diana; sister-in-law Ellen Angus (Jim); numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his chosen family Ana, Frank, and Alynne. He was predeceased by his parents and step-parents, Garrett and Betty Vink, Gertrude and Gordon Christensen, his brother-in-law Skip Banks, and his niece Kathy Vink Green. No doubtupon his heavenly arrival, afterJesus said, "Well done, my good and faithful servant," he wasgiven a grand “welcome home” party by all his loved ones, with much singing and laughter.
Calling Hours for Hal will be Friday, January 5, 5:00-8:00pm at the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 North Broad St, Milford, CT 06460. A short prayer service at 7:30 will be live-streamed on their webpage, www.codywhitefuneralservice.com. Hal’s Celebration of Life will be on Epiphany, January 6, at 11:00am at the Mary Taylor United Methodist Church, 168-176 South Broad St, Milford, CT 06460. It will be broadcast here: http://vimeo.com/event/1172011. A reception will follow at the church. It is a fitting day to celebrate one whose light shined so brightly!
In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully asks that you consider donating to these wonderful ministries:
Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church, att: Missions Committee, 168-176 S. Broad St, Milford, CT 06460
The United Methodist Committee on Relief: https://umcmission.org/umcor
Project Chacocente, which provides scholarships and assistance for “materially poor” Nicaraguan youth and adults for schooling and training: https://outofthedump.org/
TogetherConnected, which enhances communications for those in nursing homes and hospitals, including the purchase of technology so their residents are able to “visit” with family who are unable to get there in person: https://www.togetherconnected.net/
The prayer service for Rev. Hal Vink will be Live Streamed, please see the attached linkhttps://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcwNDQ5NTY5MTI4OTA4OSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== for the event.
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