Stephen M. Mink “Declan”, 66, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 15, 2015.
Born in Newark, NJ, he was an Army veteran of Vietnam. He was born with a passion for traveling. Since a young age he backpacked across Canada, lived and worked on a kibbutz in Israel, traveled throughout Europe, and South America. Aside from living in the US, Israel, and Canada, Stephen spent a large portion of his life residing in Belgium where he was married and had his two eldest children, Jennifer and Damien Mink. Later in his life Stephen met his wife, Piedad Mink, had his youngest daughter, Daniela Mink, and they all moved to Colombia. Stephens’s motto was, “Follow your Bliss.” He he taught this to his children and they still live by it.
Stephen received a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of South Florida. He worked as a therapist for several years helping underprivileged families through difficult situations.
He was considered by the people close to him to be a very loyal, honest, intellectual and cultured person. He was a lover of music. His favorite musicians where Bob Dylan, The Doors, Van Morrison and The Beatles. He could happily spend an entire day reading books, writing, and going to the movie theater.
Most of all Stephen was a dedicated thoughtful husband and an amazing father that dedicated all his energy to protecting and providing love to his three children. Stephen had a beautiful raw witty sense of humor and made everyone laugh around him. He was a genuine free spirit that could always be counted on and was always himself. He will be greatly missed by many.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Piedad; his son, Damien; two daughters, Jennifer and Daniela Mink; two brothers, Jonathan and James; sister, Jill Mink; and four grandchildren: Selene, Liza, and Adam Poll, and William Mink.
A graveside service with military honors will be presented at 2:15 PM on Friday, October 2, 2015 at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines, FL 33744.
Our most sincere condolences to all the Mink family for your loss!!May he rest in peace!!
Humberto Dousdebes and Family
Daniela, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sorry for your loss.
I had the wonderful privilege to travel extensively with Mr. Mink’s daughter, Daniela, and can fully attest to what an amazing and truly dedicated father he was. Texts, emails, calls, what to do, where to go, inspiration, encouragement, hilarity, he knew what to say and when to say it. He certainly left his mark on the world, and although I only obliquely knew him, I am grateful.
My sincerest and heartfelt condolences to the Mink family, Daniela, Piedad, and others who were touched by him. I pray that we all are able to inherit our own piece of Mr. Mink’s life, through his memory, and his truly caring and compassionate nature.
Siento muchísimo la partida del tío Stephe quien cuando yo era pequeña me cuidaba y me hacia pasar momentos muy agradables en su casa junto con mi tía Pieda y mi linda prima Dani. Lástima que la vida nos separo a mi corta edad pero el cariño sigue intacto y mi gratitud muy grande. Los quiero mucho y los bendiga
Daniela, it has been a pleasure working with you and knowing you’ll follow his footsteps leaves a great inspiration for others. Your personality must have come from him & it will still be here for us to remember. Sorry for your loss and may he rest in peace.
Se fue su presencia siempre directa, libre y aguda. Quedan sus palabras, sus grandes lecciones, su música, su amor por los animales y su incondicionalidad con sus grandes amores: sus hijos y su esposa.
Paz en su nuevo destino para él y para los que le van a extrañar desde el fondo del corazón.
Although I never met Stephen, I feel I know him just a little through his lovely daughter Dani. Judging from her I think I can say Stephen must have been an amazing person, who were able to raise a daughter with such a wonderful character.
My condolences to you Dani and to your family.
Daniela, although I didn’t have the pleasure to meet your dad I think I did through out the stories You have told me about him, all the things you shared with him and how much you love him. I’m sorry for your lost but I’m sure he still guiding you from the heaven. A huge hug.
I had the privilege of getting to know Stephen for many years and never did I leave his sight with out the biggest smile …. What a humor! He always knew how to make you laugh while teaching about life and pushing you to be the best you could be … Through his beautiful Daughter Daniela I had the honor to see the work of a wonderful Dad who would do anything to make his family happy and help them in any way he could … My thought and prayers will always be with his family. He will be greatly missed.
Daniela y Piedad: Stephen siempre estará en nuestros corazones, siempre fue sentido por nosotras como un miembro de familia especial, nuestro “gringo” cascarrabias, pero a su vez “dulce” y amoroso. Dios sabe lo que hace y le permitió una muerte piadosa, hará mucha falta, pero a ustedes también las llenará de fortaleza para aceptar sus designios con resignación y valentía. La amo
Hola Dani,
I Just want you to know that you can count on Us in everything you need, our prayers and condolence we love you and aunt Piedad
Dani , lamentó mucho tu pérdida, espero que Dios te regale la resignación y fortaleza para sobrepasar esta dura prueba , pero recuerda que el tiempo de Dios es perfecto y tu papi está en un lugar mejor , tarde o temprano te volverás a reunir con el mientras tanto el siempre vivirá en tu corazón , animo.
Jay Daniela, es así como siempre te saludo, hoy con tristeza por la partida se Stephe , nuestro Tío por que para nosotros lo era y lo será por siempre, lo recordaremos con peogundo afecto y mucho mas con grandes recuerdos, el a partido de forma material pero esta en cada una de las personas que compartieron con el, nunca olvides que a Pidad y a ti las amamos y las llevamos en nuestros corazones.
Mi cuchi hermosa tengo un dolor en mi corazón de no poder acompañarte en este momento, te amo y le pido a Dios que te dé a ti y a la tía Pidad toda la valentía y fortaleza como familia en este momento tan difícil. Siempre cuentas conmigo, eres mi prima y mi amor especial.
Muahhh
Piedad, I am very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers,
Maria
Todavía me acuerdo cuando llegaron a Colombia muchos años atrás. Fue ahí que conocí a Stephe. Después no me acuerdo cuando volvieron a USA, pero si me quedaron las imágenes claras de esa linda familia. Se que el no esta físicamente, pero mientras se mantenga en la memoria de ustedes y de cada uno que lo conocimos, siempre estará vivo. Así que Piedad y Daño, recuerden siempre las cosas bonitas y así lo mantendrán siempre al lado de ustedes. Sólo cuando olvidamos a alguien lo perdemos realmente.
Mi Gran Amigo Se que Ahora Estás Desde El Cielo Cuidando De Todos Nosotros
Le Doy Gracias A La Vida Por Haberme Permitido Conocerte, Extraño mucho tus sabios consejos
Y El Gran Apoyo Que Siempre Me Brindaste, Fuiste Como Un Padre Para Mi Y Para Siempre Estarás En Mi Corazón
Y En Mis Pensamientos, Daniela Te Envío Un Fuerte Abrazo Y Recuerda Que Siempre Estaré Ahí A Pesar De La Distancia
Para Lo Que Necesites, Te Tengo Un Aprecio Enorme Y siempre Estaré Al Servicio De tu Familia Para Lo
Que Necesiten, Mucha Fuerza Y Bendiciones Siempre !
Piedad,
I’m so sorry for your loss. And Daniela, I’ve been enjoying following your travels from my arm chair here and am so sorry that you lost your father way too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Lynn Allen
My deepest condallenes go out to the Mink Family yes Steve Mink will be missed for what I see and hear he was a very special humane being who touched many lives through out his life journey which was cut way too short when he still had a lot more to give and through continuing norishing those around him with his wisdom and caring God Bless you uncle Steve !!!
Piedad, I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved husband. My heart and prayers are with you and your family. Kattie
Tuve el honor de tener a Steve como padre adoptivo por un año, fue una de las experiencias más especiales que he tenido en mi vida. Junto a mi tía Piedad me cuidaron y consintieron como si fuera realmente hija de ellos. Fui testigo del amor que sentía por su familia, de como cuidaba a Dani y a Piedad, de su gran corazón. No es común encontrar persona tan sincera como lo era Steve, está era una de sus cualidades mas especiales, también puedo dar fé del gran sentido del humor y gusto porque buena música. Realmente lo describen muy bien en su biografía. Sé que supiste lo mucho que te quise y que el tiempo que pase con ustedes marcó gratamente mi vida. Fuiste un gran padre y esposo, siempre estarás en el corazón de todos. Dani y Piedad las quiero mucho y siento que hayan perdido a un ser tan especial. Las amo
I am very sorry for your loss and I pray to God to give you strength, peace and unity to overcome this hard time. May your loved one rest in heaven.
Viviam Sifontes
Tia Pi, Dani… me gustaria poder darles un gran abrazo para que sentan que de corazon estoy sintiendo la gran tristeza que significa la perdida de una persona tan especial como lo fue steve…
Las quiero y las extraño montones
condolences to All of Stephens family. I knew him well for a few years around 1968-69 in Montreal. He was a unique character at that time. One of the good ones
I met Stephen while we were students at USF. We were both getting our masters in counseling. I did not know anyone at the time but Stephen was the first to make me feel welcomed. Everytime I would sign to a new class I would see him at the end of the classroom waving his hand at me and hear him say, “Come join us!”. I will never forget his kind and warm smile. I did not have many friends at that time but he made me feel included. And not just me, but those around him! He touched everyone. And when I saw his dedication to his lovely wife and his wonderful children I saw what an incredible person Stephen was. He was special. A good man. A good friend. A charismatic, friendly, passionate-for-life man; and most importantly, a loving husband to his wife, and a caring and loving father to his children. He will be deeply missed. But Stephen, time flies so we will eventually meet again one day and we will talk again about that great thing called life; and how wonderful, and sometimes absurd, it can be. Take care my friend.
My deepest condolences to his wife Piedad, his daughters Daniela and Jennifer, his son Damien, and to the rest of his family.
Dear Steve this message is for you dear.
I only hope that you are still traveling in one of our hemispheres of spiritual life before departing to where ever it is that we go after our existence on this planet earth, so you can hear this. If I had to put down in words what you represented to this family, I would have to say the role of a patriarch. Patriarch is derived from the Greek language meaning “chief” or “father” of a family. I had the privilege of observing from afar and up close how you were the pillar of your family. Steve to the rest of us, “your family” you were and will always be remembered as the charismatic, enchanting, strong minded (very opinionated in which you and I had great conversations), wise beyond your years, family member. You were definitely loved by all of us. We all have great anecdotes to remember you by. I can speak for Servio, Camilo, Gabriel and myself when I say,”It was a gift to know you and have you as our family.” We had a special bond with you that will last forever. Thank you for all the valuable advice that you shared with my sons and I. Thank you for laughing with us and at us. I am so grateful that we will always have you in our hearts. You will be missed by all of us, but you will live on in the pages of our memories.
To Piedad, Daniela, Damien, Jennifer, John, Jim, Jill and grand kids my most profound condolence
P.S. Love you Steve
When we lose a loved one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven that watches over us. May you take comfort in knowing that you have an angel to watch over you now.
Please accept our sincere condolences, just know that we are here for you, and please do not hesitate to reach out, especially during this difficult time.
Daniela, big hug to you and your family.
Jorge and Maria Montero
Mi bella Dany y tía Piedad, les abrazo con mi corazón, es lo único seguro en la vida y aún así siempre nos llega como un golpe inesperado, que llena de dolor el corazón. Steve supo dejar huella, su libertad ahora es mayor y en las enseñanzas y recuerdos estará siempre presente. Aprecié mucho si franqueza y el tiempo que compartimos en nuestra casa era rico poner buena música para el, compartimos varias veces agradables momentos musicales. Caminante férreo en la finca y era lindo ese amor casi infantil que mostraba por los animales, siempre sentí que guardó lindos tesoros de su niňes que lo hicieron dulce y especial.
I have fond memories of your Dad, I remember him helping you so diligently on homework and meeting him many times at the VA Hospital. Although I can’t bring you comfort at this time in your life remember the memories of Steven Mink live within all those that have met him. Look back on all the good memories that only you could have had with your dad and smile at the fact that you were able to share these before your dad passed away. Big hugs Dani.
My deepest condolences go out to the Mink family for your loss. I never had the privilege to meet him but have only heard great things about him from his daughter, Daniela. I’m sure he is very proud of you all and is looking after you even now. May he rest in peace.
Daniela and Piedad. I am so sad for you both as well as the rest of your family. I wish I could be there with you and for you. Stephen was awesome and a great conversationalist. It was always a pleasure to spend time with him. Life is so rare and takes you by surprise I wish you peace and strength through this trying time. Perhaps we can see each other soon. Love is too short and I think of you often. Love, Debbie
Piedad, Daniela, estamos con ustedes unidos en completa paz y con nuestras mejores energias, para unirnos a Steve que hoy nos esta transmitiendo a todos, mensajes de serenidad y tranquilidad. Un abrazo para ustedes y toda la familia!
Tony Van Gelder/claudia Van Gelder
So sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in our prayers. God bless.
Hey unfortunately I’m not their to give you guys my love, and tell you how much I love you guys even though I wish I was. But I can tell you that Steve will always be in our hearts, sharing his love and wits with us. Making us feel at home, “giving me kisses on the neck lol”
We all have to leave this life at one point and it’s a beautiful thing when we can leave behind a sea of love and beautiful, fun memories the way Steve did for us. I love you guys very much, and remind you that God will always be there to help you see just how beautiful life is, especially when times are at their toughest point.
Life will always go on. We’re just lucky to be able to go on with memories as special as the ones he gave us.Love you guys so much.