Obituary of Henry Abbink

Henry Abbink III, faithful husband, loving father, wise friend, and humble servant of the Lord, passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, at DeMay Living Center in Newark, New York, after a long illness. Henry was born on May 1, 1945, in northern New Jersey to Henry and Helene Abbink. After graduating from Eastern Christian School in 1963 (and attending summer school to prove his mettle), he began his studies at Houghton College, majoring in Psychology and German. Following college graduation in 1967, he married Nancy (Facer) Abbink, taught high school biology at the Bloomfield Central School District, and earned his master's degree in School Psychology from Oswego State. Around that time, Henry sold his 1967 blue Ford Mustang with white racing stripe for a sensible brown Chevy Nova in anticipation of starting a family. Henry was employed as a school psychologist at the Rush-Henrietta Central School District for 34 years until he retired in 2003. During his tenure with that school district, he served on the Committee for Special Education and the Emergency Response Team. Henry remarked that "it's the people that make any job a truly good and fulfilling one, and the friendships and relationships I developed at Rush-Henrietta I will cherish for years to come. I wouldn't have missed them for the world!" Henry's joy was found in faithfully, quietly and confidently serving the Lord. He attended LifeSpring Community Church in Canandaigua, New York, for over 40 years. During that time, Henry, with Godly wisdom, served as a church elder, a deacon, an adult Sunday School teacher and youth group leader and undertook many miscellaneous groundskeeper tasks. In his retirement years he, along with his brother-in-law, Roger Ashworth, hiked the 580-mile Finger Lakes Trail, although not in one day. He enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling with his wife Lori (Taylor) Abbink, and caring for his yard. Henry delighted those who knew him with his storytelling, quick wit and humor. Kind, honorable, trustworthy, reliable, patient and forgiving, he did everything out of love for others. Henry was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Joanne (Abbink) Ashworth; and his wife, Nancy, the mother of his three children Amy Abbink, Gregory Abbink and Stephanie (Scott) Lasal. Henry is survived by his wife, Lori; his sister, Dianne (Bob) Everett; stepchildren James (Natasha) Taylor, Jonathan Taylor and Sarah Taylor; numerous grandchildren and one great grandchild. Calling hours will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fuller Funeral Home at 190 Buffalo Street, Canandaigua, New York. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at LeTourneau Christian Center located at 4950 County Road 11 (East Lake Road), Rushville, New York. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to LeTourneau Christian Center or to Pathway Community Church (Canandaigua, New York).