Nick J. Tretinyak Sr. - Rochester

ROCHESTER — Nick J. Tretinyak Sr., 87, of Rochester, died Friday, May 14th, 2010, at Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth, where he had been a resident since November 2009.

Mr. Tretinyak was born March 20, 1923, in Rochester. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. After discharge, he worked for General Electric and Westinghouse as a machinist and millwright. Nick retired from Rochester Dairy/PACE Dairy, where he had worked as a Maintenance Engineer for 27 years.

He was creative mechanically and amazed people with his practical solutions and interesting "inventions."

۬Following retirement, Nick performed general maintenance and served on the Board of Directors for Cronin Homes Inc., where he had been a resident. The Cronin Home community was an important part of his life.

He married Beverly Ann Derby on May 9, 1953, in Rochester. Mrs. Tretinyak preceded him in death on January 17, 1975.

He is survived by his son, Nick Tretinyak Jr., of Atlanta, Ga.; and one grandson, Noah. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Helen, and a brother, Carl.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 16, 2010, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes in Rochester. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Sunday at Ranfranz and Vine. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Mantorville, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Cronin Homes, Inc., 825 W. Silver Lake Dr. N.E. Rochester, MN 55906; or Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth, 24 8th St. N.W., Rochester, MN 55901.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place N.W., Rochester. (507) 289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.