Peter Andrew Rink

Peter was a great guy I've known him most of my life lived down the street. He always was a gentleman a sporting type of gentleman and he did love the outdoors I will think of him finally always.

My brother and I were hunting partners for over 40 years. Peter "Hawk" was a master predator of the wild turkey. I was hunting with him the day he bagged his 1st turkey (A nice Jake) back in the 80's. I hunted with him countless times during the next 40 years for turkey, grouse, deer, fox and coyote. He developed into a Master Turkey Hunter and his passion for turkeys was not easily matched by anyone. He traveled far and wide to attain the Grand Slam of North America which is getting all subspecies in North America which are the Rio Grande, Merriam's, Osceola, Eastern and Gould's. He also traveled to South America to take the Ocellated species which gave him the rank of attaining the "World Slam". I did not travel with him on the far away hunts but he did have several close friends who did accompany him. The friends that went with him know who they are and remember the hunts very well - special friendships and memories everlasting. Later in our years together we hunted Ohio and Kentucky mainly and recently have concentrated on our cattle farm in Kentucky where we discovered fantastic turkey hunting. I was sitting right next to Peter on the farm when he bagged his largest turkey - 26.5 pounds. What a butterball!. Last spring was a very strange year for all of us. I did not take a turkey at all - they outwitted my wife and I multiple times. Peter was outwitted in NC and SC. In Kentucky he hunted a spot that we wanted to take originally. When I found he was planning on sitting there I made no mention of our intentions. It was his spot to take. He took a young gobbler opening day from that spot. The next day he took a nice large gobbler. That was his last turkey. Shown here is that turkey gobbler that the old Master took. My wife and I were turkey hunting on Oct 22 when we talked to him on the phone the last time. Shortly after hanging up the phone we walked over to his spot from the previous spring. In back of a tree he sat against from the spring we found a fresh dusting site. In the dust was a single turkey breast feather. I was going to tell him about the dusting site but never got a chance to. The Grand Master is gone.........too soon. Note - If you would like good reading on the wild turkey select the book "The Old Pro Turkey Hunter" by Gene Nunnery - after reading you will realize the magic of life hunting the Wild Turkey and why Peter Loved it so much.

I remember Pete from the old neighborhood, unlike a lot of the kids who were a year or two older than us, he was always nice to the younger kids. I remember reconnecting with him after high school and we remained FB friends since then. Always a good guy, RIP my friend.

To all of Pete's family: there are so many good memories, too many to share, but Heidi and I have known and loved Pete since St. Rita's. He was the funniest, kindest, most generous person we have ever known. He will never be forgotten. There are many tears and broken hearts for this gentle soul. God Bless Pete and all of you.

You will be so missed Pete you have no idea. You smile and laugh were so contagious that will be forever etched in my heart and mind. Now your up there with all the other hell raisers. One day we will all meet again. May you rest in peace until we all come to join you. I love you Pete and will miss you.

Dear Shirley and family, We were so shocked and saddened to hear about Pete. He always had a smile and was a good neighbor. He will be sorely missed. May God help you through this trying time. Love and prayers, Diane and Paul

This is so heartbreaking . A great man gone too soon . I met Pete at Applebees in Simpsonville through mutual friends and we hit it off immediately . He had the same crazy sense of humor . We shared many laughs throughout the years and he had a shoulder when I needed one for a cry. He was truly a wonderful friend . I will miss him greatly . Rest easy Pete

Pete at my 40th Birthay party June 2004

Words cannot express how sad we are to know that we have lost our good friend. We loved Pete. He was a great person and a good man. We had so many great times together and always laughed so much. Our hearts are broken. We miss him so much already. We send our love and prayers out, especially to Shirley, and all of his family. He was our neighbor, just down the road a couple of miles. We will miss him tooting his horn, smiling and waving as he passed by our house. Pete, see you on the other side brother. ❤️

My deepest heartfelt condolences to all. I have so many fond memories of Pete- from his contagious laugh to so many fun vacation and fishing adventures. And the fun my kids enjoyed with him. I will keep you all in my prayers and heart as you face this difficult time. I hope your fond memories and the love of family and friends provide you with some comfort at this time. Jan

I am so sorry to hear about Pete's passing. There are too many stories and memories to write here. I grew up around the corner from The Rinks. Pete and I would hang out together as kids and play basketball Pete referred himself as Charles Barkley LOL. Then we would play Street hockey when it was frozen in the winter time. Later in life, Pete and I worked across the street from each other and would meet for lunch at Lexus bar. He worked at Rochester products and I was at Nylomold on Lee Road. And after The Rinks moved from Webster I would see Pete when he came back into town and we would have our wild turkey and a beer at Flaherty's on Bay Road. Pete was the Hunter and Fisher. Every year when it was turkey bow hunting season I always thought of Pete. I knew he'd be out there. I'll never forget his big laugh. He always was a joker, great guy. I am so sad for the family. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Pete. Rest in peace Pete.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.