Wayne J. Sinz, former resident of San Mateo,
passed away peacefully on September 7, 2016, in Manteca, California. He will be remembered by all that knew him, even at the end, as a “true gentleman”.
   Wayne was born to Clarence and Lena Sinz in Eau Galle, Wisconsin on April 12, 1923. He was the third of six children, and spent his boyhood on a dairy farm called “Cold Stream Farms”. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1940, and attended the University of Wisconsin for
2 1/2 yrs. His education was cut short when he enlisted with the military in 1943. His training took him to Santa Rosa, CA and Prescott, AZ where he trained as a fighter pilot. He ultimately served his country in WWII in the US Army Air Corp.  He flew 60 combat missions in the European theater, including liberating the Normandy coastline on D-Day and earned many medals for bravery in combat. In later years when asked about his service, he would always modestly say “we just did what we had to do”.
   When he returned to the states, he settled in the SF Bay Area and began a
career which lasted over 40 years with the Bank of America. Wayne was an avid
bowler, participating in a league into his 90th year. He was also a lifelong fan of
the SF Giants and 49ers, fondly remembering the “good old days” at Seals Stadium, Kezar, and Candlestick. He also loved following the sports careers of his grandsons Adam and Justin as they grew.
   Wayne’s strong faith grounded him. He was a happy man who lived simply and embraced life’s smallest pleasures. His kindness, quiet good nature, and love for family will be deeply missed but always treasured. He belonged to the “greatest generation”, where the values of hard work, integrity and morality were principles he honored daily and passed on to his children.
   He was preceded in death by his parents, four siblings, and daughter Sandra. He is survived by his children, Janice Brunner of Concord, CA, Gary Sinz of Auburn, CA, and Vanessa Knepp (Dennis) of Manteca, CA, and two grandsons, Adam Knepp (Abigail) of NYC, and Justin Knepp of San Jose, CA. He is also survived by one brother Larry (Joan), and will be remembered by his large extended family in Wisconsin which includes many nieces and nephews who fondly remember his Fall visits home each September.
   PL Fry & Son Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Sinz family.  Services with full military honors, will take place on Saturday, November 5, 2016 in Eau Galle, Wisconsin at St. Henry’s Church, at
11 a.m.  Visitation will be one hour before.  He will be laid to rest at St. Henry’s Cemetery, with his parents and siblings. Those wishing to donate in dad’s name please give to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th floor New York, NY 10001.  An online guestbook is available at www.plfryandson.com.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, October 28, 2016