Roderick Neil Tinkler, 90

Roderick (Rod) Neil Tinkler, born September 26, 1934, in Redcar, Yorkshire, England, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness on October 24, 2024, soon after his ninetieth birthday. He was surrounded by family, including his wife of 62 years, Joan Cockcroft Tinkler, who was holding his hand.

Rod’s life was marked by an adventurous spirit and entrepreneurial drive. Before attending St. John’s College, Oxford University, Rod completed his military service (which was compulsory in Britain at the time) which included a tour of service in Egypt. In January 1961, drawn by a job opportunity at French’s, he moved to Rochester, NY, where he met his future wife, Joan. Their marriage, on May 19, 1962, marked the beginning of a loving partnership that would last over six decades. After working for various food companies for a little over a decade, Rod and Joan founded The Silver Vault in 1974, a business that allowed them to enjoy their appreciation for antiques. The couple’s journey took them from Joan’s childhood hometown of Rochester, New York to Montreal, Quebec to Barrington, Illinois, where they raised their family and resided until 2023, when they moved to Woodstock, Illinois.

Even with knee and shoulder replacements which he had later in life, Rod remained active as a gardener, traveler, and lover of the outdoors. Just two months before his death, Rod and Joan vacationed with family in Algonquin Provincial Park, a place that holds special memories for Rod and Joan since it is home of Northway Lodge, a wilderness camp that Joan first attended as a camper in 1949, and a place they have returned to for years.

Rod will be missed by his family and friends and his legacy will live on through memories and the impact he made on those who knew him. He will be remembered for his quick wit, his enthusiastic laugh, and his love of life.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his four sons and their wives: Bruce and Rosanne who live in Lexington, MA; Philip and Becky who live in Geneva, IL; Alan and Barri who live in Springfield, MO; and Peter and Kathy who live in Woodstock, IL. He leaves behind five grandchildren—Jon, Emmerson, Chris, Jeremy, and Ellen—and one great-grandson—Jon’s son, Theo.

He was predeceased by his brother, Ian; his brother-in-law, David; and his sister-in-law, Elizabeth. He is also survived by Elizabeth’s son, Andrew, and his family; his sister, Pen; her husband, Richard; their sons, Christopher and Stephen, and their families.