Jackson Fink was unwavering in his love for other people. He was the person many went to for advice.
“He had ‘hug timing’, ” said his mother Jane Strain-Fink.
He was a free spirit that enjoyed music, concerts and nature. Recently, he was among the more than 100,000 people who attended the TomorrowWorld concert in September. He worked the concert for the food service company Crescent Foods.
When it came to his relationship with others, “his eyes were blind, he just saw people’s hearts,” Strain-Fink said.
“He just wanted to make people happy.”
Fink taught himself how to play multiple instruments including the guitar, banjo, mandolin and piano.
He was a chess master who started playing the game when he was six years old. Growing up his mother would take him to the chess court at Woodruff Park to play games against others. By age 11 he beat many of his older competitors.
As he grew older, he would still visit the park to play against others but would have up to eight chess games going at a time where he would play against himself at home.
Fink was a student at Georgia Perimeter College with an undecided major, he was considering astrophysics or geology.
“He was a man of many talents; whatever he did, he mastered,” said friend Mark Rosen.
Jackson Fink, of Atlanta, died Sept. 29. He was 21. His cause of death is unknown, pending autopsy results. A memorial service was held Thursday at the Chattahoochee National Recreation Center, 1978 Island Ford Parkway, Sandy Springs. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care was in charge of arrangements.
Many of Fink’s friends attended his memorial service. Wearing bright colors and Pikachu Pokemon hats, “you think there’s colors in the rainbow, you should have seen all the colors at his service” said Strain-Fink.
“He was like my brother; he always saw the best in people,” said childhood friend Alec Feldman.
“I could tell him things I couldn’t tell anyone.”
Those who knew Fink best remember a quote by Jim Morrison that Fink took a photo with, “a friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.”
“He didn’t love despite your quirks, he loved you because of them,” his mother added.
He spread love to everyone around him and gave them a sense they were cared for, Rosen said.
In addition to his mother, Fink is survived by his brother, Ethan Montana Fink; father, Mitch Fink; step mother, Monica Hall; grandparents Sara Scarborough, Terry Ross, Stan Gomburgh, Harold and Nan Fink.
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