ILION-Howard D. Toby Fink age 72 of Pleasant Avenue passed away peacefully on Thursday morning September 22, 2011 in his home after a short illness. He was born on March 13, 1939 in the town of Warren, son of the late John D. and Bertha Helmer Fink. A lifelong area resident he was raised in Ilion and graduated from Ilion High School with the class of 1959. Toby was blessed when he met a young lady by the name of Mary Frescatore at a friends wedding. On November 8, 1963 they were united in marriage in the First Baptist Church, Ilion and in 1971 they moved from Frankfort to Ilion, where they have resided since. For thirty-four years Mr. Fink worked as an assembler for the Remington Arms Company in Ilion. He retired in 1997. Toby had a strong belief in God and was a member of the Oak Ridge Free Methodist Church in Herkimer. In his leisure time he was a chess player, an avid reader and found a special interest in reading old history books and his bible. He was an accomplished fly fisherman and particularly enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren. Mr. Fink will always be remembered as a loving, caring and wise gentleman. He was a strong willed man and any conversation with him was straight and to the point, but you always felt a warmth and friendship whenever you were with him. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family, especially his cherished grandchildren and great grandchild. Surviving him are his devoted wife of forty-seven years Mary, a daughter, Mary Cross of Little Falls, one brother, Raymond Fink of Flint, MI, a sister Pearl Kimble of Rome, five grandchildren, Rachael Cross and Michael Cross both of Utica, Kayla Cross, Andrew Cross and Stephen Cross all of Little Falls, one great-granddaughter, JaeLynn Brown of Utica, Several nieces, nephews, cousins and special friend Nancy Burton. Beside his parents he was preceded in death by his son Roy Scott Vernum, a brother, John Roy Fink, five sisters Florence Crewell, Regina Evans, Marjorie Evans, Alice Griffin and Evelyn Kimble. The family will be present to receive relatives and friends in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street; Herkimer on Saturday morning from 9:00 am until 11:00 am, with a funeral service to begin at 11:00am. The Reverend Christopher Schumske, pastor of the Oak Ridge Free Methodist Church, Herkimer will officiate. Interment will follow in Oak View Cemetery, Frankfort. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Hospice Palliative Care Inc. or the Little Falls Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.