Obituary of Mark Emerson Spink

Newport News, VA – Mark E. Spink Mark E. Spink, of 202 Yeardley Drive, formerly of Portville and Olean, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2020 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, VA from complications of pneumonia. Mark was born December 19, 1954 in Geneva and was a son of E. Ray and Roxane A. Miles Spink. On October 23, 1975, in California, he married Kathleen A. Calvert, who predeceased him on January 7, 1999. On August 18, 2011, in Yorktown, VA, he married Mindy L. Swyers, who survives. Mark was a 1974 graduate of Portville Central School, where he excelled in football and partying. He served during the Vietnam War in the US Marine Corps for 6 years from July 15, 1974 to December 2, 1980. Mark then enlisted in the US Army for 7 years from September 20, 1981 to August 1, 1989. He was stationed in various places throughout his service including, Okinawa Japan, California, Louisiana, and twice in Germany. After his service, he returned to the Olean and Portville area, where he worked at a number of places including Stroehmann's, Cytec, Beef 'n' Barrel as a meat cutter, and as a substitute teacher for Arch Bishop Walsh, where he was also an assistant football coach. He then went to work for the Cattaraugus County One Stop Program, where he worked for a number of years before becoming a disabled veteran and then moving to Virginia in 2011. Mark was an avid Buffalo Bills fan, and couldn't wait for the NFL draft pick and game days. He enjoyed reading and was a true history buff, especially while being stationed in Germany and then in living in Virginia. Mark loved to read about and go to the different war museums and battlefields. He enjoyed learning and understanding the logistics of the different wars from the Revolutionary War through World War II. Mark's true love was hunting and fishing as he truly loved the solitude of being outdoors. He will be remembered as a very good cook. Mark enjoyed cooking spaghetti, chili, and barbecuing for his family and friends. He was a motorcycle enthusiast, and he really enjoyed riding is trike. Mark also enjoyed boating, camping, cookouts, and spending time with his family and friends. Along with his loving wife, Mark is survived by; his mother, Roxane M. Struchen of Portville; his step-mother, Marilyn "Bonnie" Caskey Spink of Olean; 3 children, Sean M. (Debbie) Spink of Shinglehouse, PA, Kevin J. (Diana) Spink of Jamestown, and Cari L. (Geno) Cummings of Cuba; 3 stepdaughters, Erin M. (Adam) Vogler of Nunda, Jenny R. (Jessica Snyder) James of Suffolk, VA, and Mary Catharin (Steven) Holtz of Newport News, VA; 9 grandchildren, Kyle, Andrea, Brandon, Jalyn, Kylie, Cameron, Chloe, Haley, and Ashton; 3 siblings, Diane E. (William) Hasard of Olean, Lezlee A. (Frances Patz) Spink of Butler, PA, and Bradley M. Spink of Olean; several step-brothers and step-sisters including, Ron R. (Bonnie) Caskey of Port Allegany, PA, Saralynn (Joe) Keck of Roulette, PA, Don (Joan) Struchen of Portville, and Susan (Paul) Murray of Bethlehem, CT; a sister-in-law, Judy M. Spink of Olean; several nieces, nephews, step-nieces, and step-nephews; and a close friend, Tom Scanlon of Olean. Mark was predeceased by; his first wife, Kathy; his father, E. Ray Spink on October 24, 2015; his step-father, Frank D. Struchen on April 29, 2009; and a step-brother, Dale R. Caskey on November 25, 2008. At this time Services will be private. Burial will be at Mt. View Cemetery. Full military honors will be accorded by the Allegany American Legion Charles Harbel Post #892 Ritual Team. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc.,646 East State Street, Olean. Online condolences may be made at www.LetroMcIntoshSpinkFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Cattaraugus County Department of Veteran's Affairs, to be used for the Veteran's Van, 1 Leo Moss Drive, Suite 6510, Olean, New York 14760.