James Patrick Sank
Age 78 of Newark
Passed away on December 25, 2022.
Jim was born on November 11, 1944, in Baltimore. MD and raised in Riviera Beach. As a child he enjoyed playing outdoors with his brothers, roller skating, and boating. He turned his love of boating into his career. Before he even finished high school Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy and faithfully served his country for four years. He greatly enjoyed military life and decided to join the U.S. Army. He served 20 years retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 5. Jim also worked at Wilmington Tug for over 20 years and was the Commander of the Patapsco River Squadron from 1982-1983. All of his work was dedicated to making boating safer by instructing members in seamanship, navigation, and boat handling.
Jim loved to listen to 1950s music, especially Buddy Holly. He had a lovely signing voice and enjoyed sharing his talent with friends and family. Jim also enjoyed collecting and operating his many rideable miniatures gauge railway trains while travelling to various railways from New Jersey to Florida. He was a member of the Mustang Club, and volunteered at Wilmington and Western Railroad and Alber Heights Trains. Jim was also an avid deer and turkey hunter for years and has collected many mounted trophies.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Helene (Schmidt) Sank; his siblings, Janice and Patricia; and his beloved dogs, Morgan and Teddy.
He will be dearly missed by his wife of 20 years, Hope Sank; his daughter, Shirl Coble (Dwayne); his grandchildren, Lindsey Peterson (Michael) and Chris Coble; and his great granddaughter, Zariah Coble. Jim is also survived by his stepchildren, Tracy A. McCarrow (Bob), Todd Whelan (Beth), David Bateman, and Patricia Bateman-Tracey; his step grandchildren, Jack, Kyle, Ben, Abby, Alison, Emily, Connor, and Emma. He will also be dearly missed by his siblings, Roberta White, Tim Sank (Lavonda) and William Sank (Janet); and dear friend, Chuck Liber (Ann).
Relatives and friends are invited to celebration of life service on Thursday, Jan 5 at 11:00am at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilm, DE. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10:00am-11:00am. Interment will take place at Glen Haven Memorial Cemetery at 2pm.