1921
William
2010
William Justin Frink
January 13, 1921 — October 24, 2010
Harlingen, TX:
William “Bill” Justin Frink passed away in his home in the Golden Palms retirement community, Harlingen, Texas, from complications of Parkinson’s disease on October 24, 2010. Born in Randolph, Vermont, on January 13, 1921, Bill came from a long line of New Englanders. His parents were Clarence and Beatrice Judy Frink, dairy farmers in North Haverhill, New Hampshire. After he graduated from the Woodstock Academy in New Hampshire, Bill migrated south where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Southwest Louisiana Institute (University of Southwestern Louisiana) in Lafayette, Louisiana.
It was while attending Southwestern that he met Emma Pauline Gaudet, whom he married in her hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1944. He served as a pilot instructor for the Army Air Corps during World War II. Following the War he obtained a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana.
Bill and Pauline moved to St. Albans, West Virginia, in 1947 to begin his career with Union Carbide Chemicals Company. They were transferred to Nassau Bay, Texas, in 1967. After retirement Bill and Pauline lived in New Orleans for six years. They fell in love with the Rio Grande Valley lifestyle and moved to the Golden Palms retirement community in Harlingen. He was an avid golfer, loved playing pool and flying.
He is survived by his wife, Pauline, as well as sons John (Victoria) of Chevy Chase, Maryland; Alan (Deborah) of Houston, Texas; Robert (Linda) of Plano, Texas; and Philip (Shannon) of McKinney, Texas. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a brother, Reverend James Frink, of Rhode Island. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, USAF Lt. Col. John Frink, retired, of Bowie, Maryland, and Theodore Frink, of Manchester, New Hampshire.
Bill was an active member of Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Harlingen. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1992, he and Pauline were Parkinson Support Group Leaders for the Rio Grande Valley for twelve years.
The family is very grateful to Paul Navarette and his team of caregivers for their devoted care over the past four years. They also appreciate the staff of Odyssey Hospice during the last weeks.
A Catholic Mass to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010 in St. Anthony Church, Harlingen. Burial will take place in the Gaudet family tomb in New Orleans, Louisiana, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Alamo Area Parkinson Support Groups, 5368 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 200, San Antonio, Texas 78229, or to St. Anthony Church Building Fund, 209 S. 10th Street, Harlingen, Texas 78550.
William “Bill” Justin Frink passed away in his home in the Golden Palms retirement community, Harlingen, Texas, from complications of Parkinson’s disease on October 24, 2010. Born in Randolph, Vermont, on January 13, 1921, Bill came from a long line of New Englanders. His parents were Clarence and Beatrice Judy Frink, dairy farmers in North Haverhill, New Hampshire. After he graduated from the Woodstock Academy in New Hampshire, Bill migrated south where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Southwest Louisiana Institute (University of Southwestern Louisiana) in Lafayette, Louisiana.
It was while attending Southwestern that he met Emma Pauline Gaudet, whom he married in her hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1944. He served as a pilot instructor for the Army Air Corps during World War II. Following the War he obtained a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana.
Bill and Pauline moved to St. Albans, West Virginia, in 1947 to begin his career with Union Carbide Chemicals Company. They were transferred to Nassau Bay, Texas, in 1967. After retirement Bill and Pauline lived in New Orleans for six years. They fell in love with the Rio Grande Valley lifestyle and moved to the Golden Palms retirement community in Harlingen. He was an avid golfer, loved playing pool and flying.
He is survived by his wife, Pauline, as well as sons John (Victoria) of Chevy Chase, Maryland; Alan (Deborah) of Houston, Texas; Robert (Linda) of Plano, Texas; and Philip (Shannon) of McKinney, Texas. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a brother, Reverend James Frink, of Rhode Island. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, USAF Lt. Col. John Frink, retired, of Bowie, Maryland, and Theodore Frink, of Manchester, New Hampshire.
Bill was an active member of Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Harlingen. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1992, he and Pauline were Parkinson Support Group Leaders for the Rio Grande Valley for twelve years.
The family is very grateful to Paul Navarette and his team of caregivers for their devoted care over the past four years. They also appreciate the staff of Odyssey Hospice during the last weeks.
A Catholic Mass to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010 in St. Anthony Church, Harlingen. Burial will take place in the Gaudet family tomb in New Orleans, Louisiana, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Alamo Area Parkinson Support Groups, 5368 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 200, San Antonio, Texas 78229, or to St. Anthony Church Building Fund, 209 S. 10th Street, Harlingen, Texas 78550.
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