Howard B. Finley ’43-2

Howard B. Finley, age 94, of Jefferson Hills, passed away on November 20, 2016. Beloved husband of the late Mary S. Finley; father of Howard B. Finley III and Anne Marie Donahue; grandfather of Ann and Karen Finley and Stephanie, Mary Kathryn and Billy Donahue. He is survived by many nieces and nephews and is grateful for their dedication and abundant love.

He was born in Bangor, ME to the late Howard B. Finley, Sr. and Marie O’Leary. A 1943-2 graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy, upon graduation he worked as a US Merchant Marine as a First Engineer, then joined the Navy as a commissioned officer and served during WWII, the Korean War and was called for active duty during the Vietnam War. He served in the Mediterranean, North Atlantic and South Pacific Theater.

He graduated from UNC, Chapel Hill, where he met his wife, Mary. He was a Member of the Alpha Chi Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha fraternity, the Mon Valley Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans Assoc. and St. Thomas A’ Becket Catholic Church. He was a great adventurer and loved to travel throughout the world, climbing Machu Picchu, Peru, at the age of 80 and most recently enjoyed traveling to Bar Harbor and climbing Cadillac Mountain with his son. His daughter visited him several times each month and spoke to him daily, he would always ask about her family and Blue, concluding the conversation with, “Hold Fast!” He was an avid Pirates fan and saw Bill Mazeroski hit the game winning homerun in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series at Forbes Field. He enjoyed yard work and small home improvement projects.

The world has lost a true gentleman and the original non-conformist. He will be greatly missed. His final resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, INC.

In memory of Howard, donations may be made to the Howard B. Finley Scholarship Fund at the Maine Maritime Academy, 1 Pleasant Street, Castine, ME 04420 or please do a random act of kindness for a stranger.