Joseph C Wink Jr.

Joseph Clarence Wink, Jr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at the age of 92 after an extended illness. Four generations of his family were at his side. He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Ann Lynn Smith Wink, and five children: Larry Wink, Sr. (Mary Jo), Kenneth Wink, Sr. (Rebecca), Michael Wink (Suzette), Michele Wink, and Joseph Wink III (Kathy); grandchildren Caroline Wink, Maria Wink Meyers (Andrew), Ashlyn Wink Pokorn (Christian), Kenneth Wink, Jr. (Chelsea), Stanton Vignes, Jr. (Devin), Monica Lynn Wink Pryphun (Raymond), Larry Wink Jr., (Caroline), Patrick Wink, Joseph “Joey” Wink IV, Lee Manship Vignes, Alexander Wink; and three great grandchildren: Louise Meyers, newborn twins Kenneth Wink, III, and Genevieve Wink. A fourth great grandchild is due to arrive on Joe’s birthday, April 24, 2025. Joe is also survived by his two younger sisters, Jane Wink Meeks and Linda Wink Barrett (Earl), and by many nieces, nephews, and other extended family. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Lt. Col. Joseph C. Wink, Sr. and Noreta Manuel Wink.

Born in Biloxi, MS on April 24, 1932, Joe graduated salutatorian from Notre Dame High School in Biloxi. He and Ann met during their high-school years. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, 631st National Guard Unit, the same battalion in which his father had served as Executive Officer. Joe deployed to Germany from 1950 - 1952, during post-war occupation.

Joe graduated from Louisiana State University in 1956, where he earned his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. He went on to enjoy a successful career spanning six decades in oil refining, petrochemical manufacturing, and related industries. His earliest employment after college was with Mobil Oil at the Beaumont, TX refinery. In 1960 he moved his young family to New Orleans, where he took ascending management positions at the Chalmette Refinery during the Tenneco ownership era. In 1970, with Ann’s unwavering support, he founded Wink Engineering and later established the UP Professional Solutions staffing company in 1980. Joe had a contagious passion for his profession as a brilliant plant engineer and manager, a knowledgeable consulting engineer, and a bold entrepreneur. His dedication and gentlemanly charm won him the respect of his colleagues, clients, and employees, many of whom became lifelong friends. His legendary and unique style of leadership defined his success, and memories of his grit, hard work, and perseverance will live on with those who were privileged to have worked with him.

Joe served many years as an active member of the Louisiana Chemical Association and the Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance, campaigning on behalf of the energy and chemicals manufacturing industries in Louisiana. As a proactive board member of the Louisiana State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (LAPELS), Joe successfully championed legislative reform in support of professional engineers, surveyors, and architects. In addition to being among the earliest members during the formation of the International Liquid Terminal Association (ILTA), Joe was also an active member of the National Petroleum Refiners Association (NPRA), now American Fuels and Petrochemical Manufactures (AFPM) organization. He also served on many boards and civic organizations, including the University of New Orleans College of Engineering, the Humana Hospital Board, the Eastern Governmental Action League, and the New Orleans East Economic Development Foundation.

Joe was very generous with his time and financial support for many local and regional charities, in addition to the Marine Support Group, Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve, local law enforcement organizations, and many other worthy causes. A devout Catholic, Joe was a member of Legatus and a dedicated parishioner over the years at Resurrection of Our Lord, St Maria Goretti, and St Pius X. Of the many boards on which he served, the one closest to his heart was The Sisters of the Holy Family Convent, headquartered in New Orleans East. As a passionate patriot, Joe was also among the earliest founding supporters of the New Orleans D-Day Museum, now the World War II Museum.

From his youth on Biloxi Bay, Joe loved being on the water. His favorite pastime was entertaining friends, family, and business colleagues on his beloved ocean yacht, the Miss Ann. He and Ann spent many summers hosting “Camp Wink-A-Way” for their grandchildren, where he skippered excursions on Back Bay and beyond to Ship Island. Joe was a fixture at both Southern Yacht Club and Biloxi Yacht Club, to which he was dedicated during the difficult years of rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina.

Joe understood what it meant to give back to his community, both his birthplace in Biloxi and his chosen home in New Orleans, and his community valued him in return. In 2000 Joe was awarded Engineer of the Year by the Louisiana Engineering Society. He was honored to be selected as King of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Carnival Association in 1991, and honored as the Annual Biloxian Made Good by the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce in 2008. More than the honors themselves, Joe valued celebrating these occasions with friends and family. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor and fun, his love of people, and his talent for bringing them together in shared joy.

Most importantly, Joe will be remembered as a role model for what all appreciate in a person: a faithful and loving husband; a supportive and caring father to his children; a playful and affectionate grandfather “Opa” to his eleven grandchildren and his great grandchildren; a loving and successful son to his proud parents; a supportive brother to his two sisters; a sincere patriot and soldier who proudly served his country; a leader; a man of honesty and integrity; an entrepreneur and successful businessman; a good friend; a person who genuinely cared and was generous to the needy; and a person of sincere faith.

“And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over” – J. Masefield _Sea Fever

Visitation services will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124, followed by a Funeral Mass, then internment at Lake Lawn Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, Joe would value the support of donations to St. Pius Catholic Church or The Sisters of the Holy Family Convent or Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral in Biloxi.