August 2025 Honor A Deceased Veteran – John J. Zink

John J. Zink
1920-2000

FAMILY HISTORY:
John J. Zink was born on November 14, 1920 in Troy, New York. He was the son of the late August and Rose (Cleary) Zink, and brother to Leona

EDUCATION:
John was raised in South Troy, and a graduate of St. Mary’s and Troy High School.

HISTORY:
In 1943, John enlisted with the United States Marine Corps in Troy, New York, where he was assigned to the rank of private first class, where he held the position of a Machinist 2^nd class, and military specialties of Machine Gunner 604 during World War II and a survivor of the Battle of Iwo Jima

A fierce and bloody conflict was fought between United States and Japan from February 19^th to March 26^th, 1945.  It was a 36-day battle for control of the island of Iwo Jima.  The battle resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with the US Marines suffering some of their highest losses of the war, ultimately, securing victory

PERSONAL:
John married his late wife, Justine (Francese) Zink at the St. Mary’s Church in Troy, New York. Together they had six children: John Jr., Frank, Madonna, Thomas, Robert, Justine, and Marianne; and 23 grandchildren

WORK EXPERIENCE:
After his Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps on November 6, 1945, John went on to become a machinist at the Watervliet Arsenal for 33 years, retiring in 1977

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
John was a communicant of St. Henry’s Church, a member of the North Greenbush American Legion Post 1489, the Geerholt-Rehm VFW Post, the Troy Elks Lodge, the Wynantskill Senior Citizens and their bowling league and a past president of the Snyder Lake Improvement Association

Sadly, on March 28, 2000, John passed away and was laid to rest at the St. Mary’s Cemetery