Frank Vincent Wolf

"Vince" passed away on January 26, 2013, at the wonderful age of 93 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his four loving children during the last days of his life. Vince was born to Frank Wolf and Ethel (Lohr) Wolf in Portland, Oregon, on November 15, 1919. He was joined by his brother, Maurice, four years later. His family moved to Plains, Montana, where his father ran the local flour mill. At the age of 9, the family moved from Plains to Rexburg, Idaho. Growing up in these surroundings began his love of nature which was to become a lifelong passion. Vince always had a strong work ethic. To help his family out, at age 10 he obtained a job picking potatoes at 10 cents for every 50 pounds picked in the fields of southern Idaho. After his junior year of high school he worked for the Forest Service in northern Idaho and he enjoyed that job very much. As a senior in high school his family returned to Plains, Montana, where he met Bonnie Johnston, the love of his life. After graduating from high school in Plains in 1936 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. Vince and Bonnie dated until he joined the U. S. Navy in 1937, losing touch for a time, but fate reunited them in Seattle in 1944 while Vince was stationed as a radioman at Fort Ward on Bainbridge Island. They were married on January 28, 1946, in Waldport, Oregon. They made their first home at Battle Point on Bainbridge Island where Vince was stationed at the time. Their first child, Gregory, was born later that year, followed by son Fritz in 1953, daughter Janice in 1955, and daughter Bonnie Laurie in 1960.Vince enlisted in the U. S. Navy on November 17, 1937, and retired as a Chief Radioman on May 4, 1959, after having served for 22 years. Vince was first sent to a training center in San Diego for three months for basic training. After training, Vince was stationed on the U.S.S. Conyngham, a destroyer in San Diego. In 1939 the Pacific fleet, including Vince's ship, was on sailed through the Panama Canal. At the Isle of St. Thomas in the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific fleet was reviewed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Later in 1940 the Pacific fleet was moved from Long Beach, California, to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Vince's ship, the U.S.S. Conyngham, was sent back to San Francisco on November 11, 1941, less than one month before the Japanese attack, and Vince was reassigned to Bremerton Naval Radio Station. Here he worked in Naval communications with the fleet using International Morse Code. Another unit from the same base but at a different station copied the Japanese code. In 1942, Vince was again reassigned, this time to Dutch Harbor, Alaska in the Aleutian Islands. Dutch Harbor was attacked on June 3-4, 1942, by the Japanese. That was only a diversionary attack to take attention away from the major attack on Midway Island. From 1943 through 1947 Vince was stationed in various places, including a British destroyer. During this period he was stationed for a time at Battle Point on Bainbridge Island. Then in 1947 through 1949 Vince and his family moved to Guam where he was assigned. After Vince left Guam, he was assigned to ships that visited countries on the coast of Asia. Those countries included Korea during the Korean War and Viet Nam when the French were fighting there. The last ship that Vince served on was the U.S.S. Savage, and Vince designed the logo that appeared on the ship.After retirement from the Navy, the family settled on Bainbridge Island. Vince worked at Island Lumber on Bainbridge Island for several years. He worked for a time at Bainbridge Hardware in Winslow and for many years at Lumbermen's on Bainbridge Island, retiring in 1985. His years of experience in the lumber and hardware business made him a favorite resource for many local do-it-yourselfers and they would seek him out, even calling him at home for his expert advice. Although his work ethic was strong throughout his life, Vince believed that work should not be your whole life. He believed you should follow your passions and for him that included art, reading, woodworking, nature, and most of all, family. He always was there for his family and made time to be involved in his children's activities, including Cub Scouts and Sea Scouts. Vince and his wife, Bonnie, enjoyed their retirement years together. They loved their life on Bainbridge Island and often got together with their children and grandchildren. They traveled, including two trips to Germany to visit Vince's father's homeland and to meet his Uncle Vincenz whom he was named after. Vince's beloved wife, Bonnie, passed away in 1991 and he said this loss was the most difficult event he had experienced in his life. As a boy, Vince was always interested in whittling wood, but he did his first true woodcarving in 1958 while on a ship in the Navy. He was self taught in this art and became a master woodcarver, earning numerous awards and accolades over the years. He held carving workshops and was a mentor to many local woodcarvers. Polly Dennis, one of the founders of Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, was impressed by Vince's work and his carvings were featured in exhibits in the early years of the gallery. His subject matter and style of carving covered a wide range, including various water birds, animals, Native American art, folk art figures, Old West figures and human form. He also did other types of woodworking such as cabinets, furniture and birdhouses. In later years he branched out into bronze sculpting. Macular degeneration began to take his sight about 14 years ago which eventually ended his ability to produce his beautiful work. He continued to be always positive, independent and adapted with grace to his limitations. Vince was an avid reader, a great lover of nature, an honest and giving man, compassionate and creative. This gentle soul was admired and loved by all who knew him. He will be so dearly missed. Vince is survived by his son Gregory Wolf (Tobie) of Shoreline, WA, son Fritz Wolf (Manon) of Seattle, WA, daughter Janice Miller (Frank) of Bainbridge Island, WA, and daughter Bonnie Nesheim (David) of Kodiak, AK; grandson Erich Wolf (Bette) of Shoreline, WA, granddaughter Andrea Wolf of Shoreline, WA, granddaughter Malia Miglino Wolf of Los Angeles, CA, grandson Jordan Nesheim of Portland, OR, granddaughter Nicole Miller of Bainbridge Island, grandson Vincent Miller of Suquamish, WA, granddaughter Olivia Nesheim of Kodiak, AK, and great-grandson Jack Beltz Wolf of Shoreline, WA, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Vince was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ethel Wolf, his brother Maurice Wolfe of West Linn, OR, and his wife, Bonnie, who passed away on April 28, 1991.A private family graveside service will be held at Kane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to one of Vince's favorite charities, West Sound Wildlife Shelter on Bainbridge Island or a charity of your choice.Please sign the online guest book for the family.