Obituary of Eric William Zink

Eric William Zink passed away peacefully on December 29 after a brave battle with cancer. Eric was born in New Bedford, Mass. to Edith and William Zink and grew up in South Dartmouth. He graduated from Worcester Polytech and UMass Amherst with a PhD in analytical chemistry. In 1972 he was hired by ESA, Environmental Sciences Associates, in Bedford and later in Chelmsford. This was his ONLY workplace for 36 years, until he retired in 2008. During those years he developed a clinical blood lead analyzer that was a benchmark for blood lead testing for over 30 years. He helped commercialize a portable blood analyzer which allowed for millions of at-risk children to be screened for blood lead poisoning. This device, sensors and reagents are used all over the world, including by the CDC, WHO, and Doctors Without Borders. Eric was the liaison between ESA and the CDC and State Agencies for Blood Lead Testing Programs. Eric was the loving husband of Joan for 51 years. He and Joan enjoyed a beautiful 50th anniversary party planned by their children in 2015. He was the proud father of his son William and Bill's fiancée Krissy Bramante of Malden and his daughters and son-in-laws, Jennifer and Steve DeSario of Tewksbury and Katherine and Dan Lynch of Litchfield, NH. He was also the grandfather of Ava and Emma DeSario, attending their karate, gymnastics, and school events with affection and great pride. Grandpa took them for walks to the donut shop, until Mommy said no more donuts. So he took them for ice cream instead ! He was the brother of Jeffrey Zink of Ponce Inlet, Florida; Diane Page of Burlington; and Margaret Zink of Pittsfield. He was close friends with Arthur and Diana MacDonald of Burlington for over 40 years. Eric and Joan took up golf 23 years ago. Eric planned wonderful golf trips to Florida, Arizona, Myrtle Beach, Nevada, California, Hawaii, Ireland and Scotland. One of the highlights of their lives was playing the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland. It was a thrill to stand where Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods had stood, to tee off, and end by crossing the famous Swilkin Bridge. Eric belonged to the Country Club of Billerica, where he enjoyed the company of many lively men and women and helped organize some fun tournaments. He was the low-net Club Champion in 1996. Funeral Services will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday Jan. 3 from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Eric’s name may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute – Jimmy Fund, Contribution Services, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445-7226 or Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation www. arniesarmy.org.