John Douglas Smink

October 4, 1943 - March 29, 2001

10/04/1943 - 03/29/2001

Past Services

Service
Saturday April 07, 2001
2:00 pm
Altmeyer Funeral Home - Virginia Beach
5792 Greenwich Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
800-934-4648 | Directions

Virginia Beach-

John Douglas Smink, 57, lost a courageous fight with cancer in a local hospital on March 29, 2001 with his family by his side.

John graduated from Norview High School in 1962. He was an Air Force veteran, retired from

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Gerald & Linda Strickland
8 years ago

Both Gerry and I knew John and had such wonderful memories of him. We are both so sorry to hear of his passing. I’m sure your wonderful memories of John will keep him alive in your heart. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Ted Zepnikowski
8 years ago

Hi Nancy and Family,

John and I met in the Apprenticeship program and worked together for a few years.

On occasion, we met at Stillman Motors and played ping pong. John always won.

John was always an upbeat person and I always enjoyed seeing him, admiring his spirit after he got sick.

I will remember John and I know you will keep him alive with memories. You’ve lost a very good man, but the suffering for him is over.

Let this knowledge comfort you in your grief.

Please accept my sincerest condolences.

Ted Zepnikowski

Jimmy Walker
8 years ago

Hi, I knew John many years, and, worked with him at NARF. Very sorry to hear of his long suffering, but, if anyone could have handled the job , it was John. He never buckled as long as i knew him. I think it is wonderful of him to donate his “remains”, hopefully this will be the “gift” that finds the cure for that dreaded disease, that has taken so many of our loved ones before their ” time”. My prayers are with all of you.

P.S.- I noticed the name of the son and grandson of the men that taught me how to bowl many years ago. My love goes out to the Riccio family also. I used to work at Colonial Spillway Bowling Alley when i was in high school, in the early ’60’s, Tony and Angie were very good to me and kept me off the streets, I will always remember them for it.

Bill Hughes
8 years ago

I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF JOHN.

i HAVE MANY PLEASANT MEMORIES OF OUR CHILDHOOD. NANCY,I HOPE THE BEST FOR YOU AND THE KIDS. WILL TRY TO BE THERE

WITH PRAYERS…BILL

Barbara Phelps Meyer
8 years ago

I have not seen John or Nancy in many years and was so sad to read of his passing. I remember John as a happy person with a great sense of humor that my friend Nancy loved so much. I am so sorry.

Rick Lentz
8 years ago

I remember all the times John and I had working in the Instrument Shop at NADEP. Rest in peace, my friend. May the Lord Jesus Christ bless and comfort his family.

Vernon Ivey
8 years ago

I spent many wonderful hours, days and years growing up with Johnny on Robinhood Rd.

I met Johnny again about 2 years ago, he was the same as I remembered when we were boys.

Please accept condolences from my mother, my father and myself.

Vernon E.Ivey

Matt Strong
8 years ago

I worked with John at Mattress

Discounters. John was always full of humor and a very company oriented emplyoee. John would always give you the shirt off his back in helping you in any way possible. John will be deeply missed at both home and work.

Connie Turner
8 years ago

I worked with John at NADEP in the Supply Department. He always had a smile and was willing to help everyone in any way that he could. I will remember John with fond memories

Wayne Lusk
8 years ago

John was a good guy.

One of my biggest regrets in Life is that I couldn’t spend more time with family and friends.

My Norview HS friends will always be close to me.

Barbara Creekmore
8 years ago

John was a great guy and a great classmate.

His classmates will truly miss him.

Barbara Creekmore

Carole & Roger Nelson
8 years ago

John was a little man with a big heart and a great sense of humor. We feel privledged to have called him our friend for over 40 years. He fought long and hard over the last ll years with his wonderful Nancy at his side. John we will miss you.

Peachie Mock
8 years ago

John was a very special person and I’m so very glad I got to spend sometime with him these past months. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you, that God be close beside you and keep you in his care.

Lesley Frank Greenberg
8 years ago

John was fun and funny… He always had a warm and wonderful smile and we used to “cut up” in class… I know that he will be missed. and I am sure that he fought a good fight against his cancer. My heart goes to his family.

Ruth Heroux
8 years ago

John was one of the sweetest men I’ve ever know. I sat next to him at NADEP and every day he would greet me with a big smile. He was always so friendly that everyone wanted to talk to him. When we found out John was ill, he wouldn’t let us be sad but would cheer us up. He was a role model for all of us. He made our workplace a nice place to be. I remember after he had chemo and he lost his hair. John came in with a ballcap on. He thought we would all feel more comfortable if he kept it on. We told him to take it off and all the women kissed his head.

John was a wonderful man and I’m happy to have known him.

Nancy and Janelle, John talked about both of you all the time. We all felt that we knew you. John talked all the time about the grandkids also, and everyone got to share the pictures.

My prayers and thoughts go out to you, Nancy, and all your family.

HARRY & LINDA WILKINSON
8 years ago

May all the blessings of GOD be with the Smink family at this time.

Janice H. bAILEY
8 years ago

May Johnny rest in peace. Hope the family will be ok knowing that he will no longer suffer. Let’s all pray that a cure will be found for this horrible cancer. God bless you.

Coy & Linda Howell
8 years ago

May you have many wonderful memories to fill your life of a kind, generous,courageous and loving husband and father.

May God give you comfort during this difficult time.

May you feel the love and find comfort in knowing he had so many friends who cared about him.

Robert T. Mayfield
8 years ago

May your spirit dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

He touched everyone that knew him including myself.

A unselfish human being with a joke to make you laugh when your spirit was low.

May God bless you and your family.

LAURIE JOHNSON
8 years ago

MR. SMINK AND MY FATHER, JOHN ZIRKLE WERE THE BEST OF FRIENDS. I REMEMBER THAT THEY JOHN AND NANCY SPENT EVERY NEW YEAR’S EVE I CAN REMEMBER WITH MY PARENTS. HE WAS ALWAYS THE JOKESTER, MAKING MY SIBLINGS AND I LAUGH ALL THE TIME. EVEN MY 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HILARY GOT TO KNOW HIM AND LOVED HIM.

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD WHO TRULY TOUCH LIVES, CHANGE PEOPLE, AND SPREAD LOVE AND CHEER…MR. SMINK WAS ONE OF THEM AND I AM BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN HIM.

PAT REICHERT
8 years ago

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WIH YOU.

Melanie Rice
8 years ago

Nancy,I worked with you many years ago, and I remember what a great guy John was when he would stop by the Drs.office….just wanted to let you know of a garden I built,called Buff’s Garden at 47th and Oceanfront Ave. Go visit sometime, it is dedicated to those whose lives have been touched by cancer. God bless you .

Glenn Norman
8 years ago

Naval Air Station

Apprentice School

Group 43

My sincere sympathy and condolences to the family.

Bob & Darlene Houston
8 years ago

Rest well, old friend. We will always miss you.

Bob Swaim
8 years ago

Sue and I will remember John for many fond reasons. I recall that he was known for his speed around Bldg LF-18 as he raced and beat more than one person who was greatly surprised by his footwork. Our condolences to Nancy and family.

Lora Baker Hott
8 years ago

We have all lost a truly wonderful person. Our lives were all enriched from knowing him. He gave so much to outhers and asked so very little.

I will always miss you my dear friend.

Robert & Linda Spannagel
8 years ago

We have lost a true and dear friend. Our lives will forever be full through our association with John. John will be missed, but will live in our hearts forever.

Roy & Vivian Phelps
8 years ago

We shall always remember John as a friend who was kind, cheerful, positive and could always make others feel great.

We remember John as a sharing person who would go the extra mile. Our Norview outings will have a void but will be enriched by John’s cheerful spirit and memory.

Our sorrow goes out to his wife and family.

We all are richer for having known John and to interact with him in this life.

His cheerful spirit will now be enjoyed by the ages as he enriched all who knew him.

Frances Craig
8 years ago

What great fellow Johnny Smink was to have known. We were classmates at Norview and I very much enjoyed working on reunion committees with John.

Thank you to all family members for sharing John with all of us. You are in my prayers at this sad time for you.

Riccio Family
8 years ago

Words cannot express the feeling of loss the entire Riccio family will feel. You were one of the nicest and kindest men we have ever met. You will be greatly missed by all of us.