Wesley James Tintinger (Jan. 11th, 1937 to Aug. 11th, 2021)
Wesley James ‘Wes’ Tintinger, age 84, of Helena, passed away August 11, 2021. This is my Dad, my mentor, a husband, friend, brother, and the last Grampa Ting. He was the hardest working man I will ever know. Up every morning with a mission on his mind, he didn’t stop until the sun went down. As a bricklayer for Gruber Masonry in Helena for 50 years, Dad helped shape our community in brick, block and stone. He built what seems like hundreds of fireplaces on weekends, sometimes in exchange for dental services or some other barter, but always to make a little headway in the betterment of our family. He built or rebuilt two houses on his off hours and always had a car project going. As a model railroader, he built a small, to scale, town and along with the surrounding mountain landscape.
Dad was defeated this Wednesday morning by that terrible affliction of old age when his heart told him he had reached the end of a life well lived.
He taught my brother and me to be men of humility, grace, integrity, and love with a strong work ethic, not by demanding or preaching, but by being a living example of what a quiet, gentle man can accomplish in a lifetime. Every story told, and retold (there were a lot of them) stemmed from an experience, a relationship, a few mistakes and a few successes.
His life was not an easy one. Born in Great Falls the youngest of the first set of siblings, his mom (Margaret Oliver) died of tuberculosis when he was very young. He and his three siblings (Don, Edna Mae, & Ken) were shuffled to relatives because my Grampa Ting (Russell Tintinger) didn’t have the tools to raise them on his own. Consequently, Dad grew up as a farm hand with his Aunt Agnes and Uncle Ed Oliver in Fort Shaw, Mt. He did graduate from High School in Simms and soon joined the 186th Fighter Squadron Air Guard in Great Falls where he served for nine years. Because of the time spent in Galen Hospital with TB, along with his brother Ken and Mother, Dad regretted that he was not able to join the active military service but did serve in the 1063rd Combat Engineers of the Montana National Guard and the 396th Station Hospital Army Reserves for another 14 years.
Dad lost three children in his lifetime. Leslie and Tim eventually died of Huntington’s Disease and Dusty died of diabetes a few years ago.
Dad married Mom, Marilyn Kay (Katie) in 1965. This August 21st, they will have been married for 56 years. You can’t mistake the love they have for one another, particularly after watching Mom with Dad these last few days in the ICU. As a former ICU nurse, she knows all too well what those buzzing and beeping machines mean.
Mom, Kat (daughter-in-law), my wife Tracey and me (Ben) along with our kids, Jon, Sam, Jaylen and Trey and will help carry on his legacy. His sisters Betty Jane, Jan, and June and sisters-in-law Carolyn and Dee as well as a whole tribe of nieces, nephews and friends will be there with us when we toast Pop for a life fulfilled.
Services will be held at Our Redeemers Lutheran Church at 3:00pm on Saturday, August 21st. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Wes.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
3:00 p.m.
Saturday August 21, 2021
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3580 N. Benton Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
3:00 p.m.
Saturday August 21, 2021
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3580 N. Benton Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Melissa and Jeff Sherlock says
What a great guy. He built a brick planter on our house many years ago. We think of him daily as we admire his excellent design and flawless work. I liked to watch him eyeballing the next brick and cutting it to size with a whack from his trowel. Ben, you wrote a great tribute to your dad. Peace to you all.
Michael Glueckert says
…as a young man in the trade I will always have
fond memorys of Wes as a hard working individual. Setting a standard for all to follow . Peace and prayers to the family
Kate Lamping says
Katie, Ben, and family,
What a fine tribute to a fine man. Growing up with you guys was such fun, I have many, many memories of family get togethers, shared birthdays and good times.
Peace to all of you.
Mary Kay Bennett says
I didn’t know your dad but it sounds like he was one heck of a great guy.
My son went to school with Dusty, and I’ve know Ben through his architecture talents.
Walked by the Tintinger house on Benton most days & always sent a little prayer or thought to all of you.
I am so sorry.
Mary Kay Bennett
Steve Arlint says
Wes was a great guy. He use to come into Super 1 all the time and he’d always have a joke or a story. He will be greatly missed. We all lost something when Wes passed.
Sorry for your loss,
Steve Arlint (Retired Meat Manager Super 1)
Terry Reed says
Cousin Wes I still can not believe you are gone . I allways look up to you and Kenny as as a young boy I remember stopping by Agnus and Oliver at Fort Shaw when dad and I was coming back from Lincoln with a load of fence post . F like stopping by that day funny how some thing’s stick in your life for no reason .
Rick Schlenker says
I was fortunate to have Wes on several masonry jobs over the years during his time w/ Gruber Masonry. Not only was he a craftsman, but he always had a smile and a positive attitude about his work. I remember when he was working on the Guardian Building in 1994 he shared w/ me how proud he was of his son Ben who was a fellow architect in Bozeman. Peace to Katie and the Tintinger family.
Helen Amundson says
Katie, Ben and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed getting together with you and Wes. The twinkle in his eye and his great laugh always made me smile. He was such a hard working, kind man. He is resting in peace free from all pain. I will never forget a certain Thanksgiving we spent together! Ben, the tribute you wrote was great, thank you.
Helen Amundson
Jeane Didriksen says
Dear Katie, Ben & Family,
I’ll always remember Wes just like this picture. Smiling and happy to see you. I appreciate the good fortune of getting to know Wes & Katie through the Capital Carriage Car Club. When he told me that he’d worked many construction jobs with my husband, Dave, I was happy to visit with him. He drove a vintage Cadillac to the club meetings.
My heartfelt sympathy to Katie and family. Love, Jeane
Judy Kuhl says
Katie, my deepest sympathies to you and your family. I didn’t know Wes well, but know how deeply you loved and relied on him. Sincerely, Judy.
Christa and Joe Wolfe says
With sadness we read in the paper today that Wes passed away. He and his wife live a stone throw away from us.
Wes was one of the rare neighbors who made a point to get to know everyone on the street.
You will be dearly missed.
Scott Morrison says
Was a joy seeing Wes in Super 1 grocery, at least once a week. The man would love to talk and keep me informed on what was going on in life. Told me about the big TV he bought, which he truly enjoyed. Talked about his cars and how back in the day he love Fanta Rootbeer, which he could never find again.
He was one of a kind, and will miss our BS sessions in Super 1.
Rita Rasmusson says
Dear Katy, Ben and all of you great Tintingers, please accept my most heartfelt commiserations re Wes’s passing, he was a good and decent, hardworking, honorable, kind man. Wes built a fireplace with a curving top one time for us, I told him to make it how he thought it would look good. Did he ever! It was a piece of art, in red used brick, no less! Ben, your obituary was a beautiful expression of love for your dad, thank you so much. All of you will be in my prayers as you lay this fine man to his eternal rest. If anyone ever lived a life with honor and integrity, it was him. Katy? A great big hug to you! And then please pass it on to Carolyn. Love, Rita
R-B Family says
Wes’ family: Reading of Wes’ life I was reminded of the life story told though a granddaughter of my dad’s comment many years ago about the eagle he saw in the woman waitress they were lucky enough to come across. Wes also sounds like eagle, someone who soars through hard work and role modeling which in turn left a legacy with all those he came in contact with including all those we know here in Helena. Love and memories and strength to all.
Joyce Mow says
Katie, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. What a beautiful tribute that Ben wrote.. Wish you and your family comfort and peace in the days to come.
Colete Hagan says
Kelly has so many fond memories of Wes and all of your family growing up. He was a wonderful person. So glad we were able to see him and Katie a couple of weeks ago when we were in Helena. Prayers to all of you.
Kelly and Colette Hagan
prudence cooper says
My husband loved him a lot, wishing you the best of memoiries, Wes helped meand Jere with a brick wall I am now like pro.. sending my blessings to you..
Dori Robbins says
Your dad was my brother in law for a short time and our whole family loved him dearly! Papa Ting and the girls were special too. We spoke of him many times. Leslie and Tim was my niece and nephew. Leslie was a very smart and beautiful soul who left this world far too soon!
Frank munoz jr says
Hello my name is frank Munoz and I had the opportunity to work and know Wes , we worked together on masonry jobs in Waterbury ct I also knew your mom, I am so sorry for your loss. I know in my heart that he is heaven. May his memory be a blessing