It is with great sadness that we share the news of Caroline Rinker’s passing. We lift up the memories of her beautiful smile, positive energy, and infectious laugh. She made our industry so much brighter.
Words cannot express the loss to lives she touched both professionally and personally. She was a loving wife, daughter, and a true friend and colleague to those who knew her.
A prominent figure in the New York City lighting community, Caroline enjoyed a storied 45+ year career. She was a role model, a mentor, a motivator, and a consummate professional. Her boundless passion, dedication, and contributions to the lighting community were monumental. She was a member of Women in Lighting Design (WILD) and a supporter of the Illuminating Engineering Society New York City section (IESNYC). She served as President of the Designers Lighting Forum of New York (DLFNY) in 2010-2012 and was an active board member for 20 years. She also volunteered and became co-chair of the LEDucation Trade Show and Conference starting in 2014 – which became a platform that will continue to help further education in the lighting community for years to come. She always had her eye on the future.
Caroline worked in the New York City lighting community in manufacturing, distribution, and independent sales. In 2010, she partnered with James O’Blaney to form O’Blaney Rinker Associates. The firm expanded to two offices and a team of 15 representing 34 architectural lighting and controls lines. Caroline’s straightforward, no-nonsense character has been a key ingredient to her success and helped the company become what it is today.
Caroline considered volunteer work with the lighting community to be an integral part of our mission. And she always had time to share her expertise and keen industry insight with ORA manufacturer-partners, employees, and colleagues and friends too numerous to count. Caroline will remain a brilliant light to warm our hearts. She was ‘da best’! With deepest gratitude for having shared her journey in life, we now share in mourning and send our deepest sympathies to her extensive friends and family.
Family and friends are invited to celebration of life of Caroline.
Calling Hours will be held Thursday, June 22nd 2023, 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Volk Leber Funeral Home 268 Kinderkamack Rd., Oradell, NJ 07649.
A service will begin on Friday at 10:30AM at the funeral home. All are invited to arrive beginning at 9AM. Interment to follow at Garden of Memories, Washington Township.
In keeping with Caroline’s wishes, the family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to one of her favorite charities listed below:
Please visit Caroline’s memorial page to upload and share stories, memories and kind words. We respectfully ask that you do not comment on other people’s posts. This platform is meant for you to share your personal memories and experiences with Caroline.