Andrew Nelson Tinker

Andrew Nelson Tinker - Andy to everyone he met - 74, died at home on February 5, 2022. They broke the mold when he was born in Hartford to the late Wayne and Bettina (Theyskens) Tinker; there are plenty of tales of Drew - this little blond Dennis the Menace - giving his parents and sister a run for their money. Andy loved working his long career, from his apprenticeship to his recent semi-retirement (he couldn’t sit still), as a machinist and tool and die maker. He was proud of his work, his craftsmanship, and the lifelong friendships he made with many of his coworkers, some of whom became lifelong best buddies. As a teenager, he managed to charm the love of his life, a nursing student named Mary Ann, and their adventurous, laughter-filled, and loving marriage lasted 44 years until her passing in 2012. Andy taught his sons the important stuff, and some of it stuck: Ford over Chevy (never Dodge), the off-color humor of Benny Hill, to always check your automotive fluids and tire pressure, and that nothing’s better than a good home theater setup (Laserdiscs, anyone?).

Andy loved his woodshop and tool collection, anything with an engine (snowmobiles made way for lawn equipment), experimenting in the kitchen, movie nights with the grandkids, dirty jokes, Top Gear, and complaining about the government. He was an avid golfer and deep-sea fisherman (mako, bluefish, tuna) - and in recent days the grandkids enjoyed hitting the links and fishing at the pond with Grampa. He was also a shark at setback and Pictionary.

Andy is survived by his two sons and their families: Scott and his wife, Stacey Tinker, and Jeff and his wife, Jamie Tinker; his grandchildren Zane, KarLeigh, Cora, KaitLynn, Jack and Luke. He also leaves his sister Pam Palmer and her husband Mike, his brother-in-law Jim Coe, our dear family friend Mary Doody, along with beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Mom managed to drag Dad to church for his own wedding, his kids’ and grandkids’ baptisms and confirmations, so we’d like him to pass through its doors one last time to celebrate his life and say goodbye on Saturday, February 12, at 1:30 pm. Please join us for a service at the Wethersfield United Methodist Church at 150 Prospect Street, Wethersfield, CT. Dad hated formality so please dress comfortably. Afterwards we’ll have coffee and dessert to laugh and “b.s.” just as he would want us to. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Red Cross, 209 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT 06032, are appreciated. For online expressions to the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.