Obituary of Richard W. Finley

Richard W. Finley, age 86, passed away on January 13, 2019, with his wife and son at his side. Dick was born on August 8, 1932, the son of Fred and Dorothy (Davis) Finley. He was educated in the school systems of Monson, Maine, graduating in 1950. He served Honorably in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry in 1958. While in College Dick married the love of his life, Nancy Ruth Osborne from Gilford. Following graduation, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Virginia and West Virginia attaining the rank of District Ranger on the Gauley District of the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Mr. Finley returned to Maine in 1967 as a District Forester for Scott Paper Company in their Greenville District. He stayed with Scott for the next 20 years, retiring as Wood Procurement and Sales Manager in 1986. He was very active in Toastmasters International, serving as president of the Elm City Toastmasters of Waterville, and Area Governor of the area that included Maine, NH, VT as well as New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and P.E.I. He ran for District office in 1979. Dick and Nancy were avid Snowmobilers in their later years, riding some 5,000 to 6,000 miles each year on trails in northern Maine and Canada. Dick is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy, and his son Michael, both of Vassalboro. Dick will be remembered as a person who always had time to assist family and friends. He was active in his community serving as Vassalboro Youth Baseball Coach, Kennebec Valley Trail Riders President, Winslow Wrestling Booster, Vassalboro Sanitary District Trustee, and many other community positions. He was a talented gardener and sold hundreds of apples each year from his orchard in East Vassalboro. A celebration of Dick's life will be held by the family at a future date. Donations may be made in Dick's memory to the Waterville Humane Society, Webb Road, Waterville, ME.