Obituary of Russell L. Finley

Russell L. Finley Sr. Born August 8, 1932, died March 9, 2015 Predeceased by his first wife, Mary E. Cormie, in 1967, and by his second wife, Shirley A. Pieri , in 2011. He is survived by his children, Robin L., Russell L., Jr. (Suzanne), and Adam L. (Janet), step daughter, Tara Morgan along with his grandchildren, Christopher, Mary, McKenzie, Matthew, Neil, Vanessa, and Grace and a great grandchild, Liam Russell. Great grandchild, Lucas Gabriel is to arrive in May. He is also survived by one brother, Robert, and special cousins, Larry Maynard (Diane) and Barbara Cady (Jim), and many wonderful and devoted friends. A very special thank you to Fred Beerse for being such an important person and great friend for many years in Russ' life. Russ was born on E. Commercial Street in East Rochester, and attended ER high school, graduating early in 1949. His childhood was a happy one, and his roots in his beloved East Rochester ran deep. For the rest of his life he would speak of the wonderful friends and happy times he had there with his cousins and friends. Russ attended Brockport State University to pursue a teaching degree, then entered the Air Force in 1952. He was stationed at Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, New York, where he met and fell in love with Mary Cormie. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1954, and returned to Brockport where he earned a teaching degree in math. He married Mary in April of 1955, and in 1961 Russ completed construction of the family home on Harris Road in Penfield. When Mary died of cancer in 1967, Russ devoted himself to raising his three young children alone, providing for them a strong, stable, and happy childhood. Russ was a loyal member of the American Legion of Honeoye, and was a patient, intelligent, hardworking man who possessed a phenomenal talent in carpentry, along with tremendous patience, and a strong work ethic. He provided a beautiful and supportive environment in which to raise his family, giving them an incredible role model of devotion and dignity. He was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa soon after Mary's passing, but remained an unwavering example of strength to his children and grandchildren all of his days, and was such a proud father and grandfather. For Russ, family always came first. In the 1980's Russ purchased a small cottage on Lake Opinion in the Canadian Rideau Lake chain, which provided him with much joy, for as he put it, he wanted to provide a "place to remember family times." And indeed, as the family grew and Russ made friends on "his lake," many happy times were spent at the cottage, fishing, boating, and entertaining friends and family. In 1987 he retired from Penfield Schools after 35 years of teaching and soon after sold the family home, moving to a small , rustic cabin in the wooded Bristol Hills which he singlehandedly renovated into a beautiful home where many happy family gatherings took place. In 1989 Russ remarried, Shirley Pieri, and together they enjoyed many adventures, often traveling to Las Vegas, and to Denver, where they loved to visit Fred Stillman, Dad's dear childhood friend. The Rocky Mountains became a cherished place to Russ. Because of Russ' declining eyesight, he had to sell the cottage on Lake Opinicon, but soon after purchased a cottage on Honeoye Lake, eventually selling the Bristol home to his son Lee and wife Sue. Russ and Shirley moved to the lake in 2005 where Russ found great pleasure in his pontoon boat, tinkering in his shop, driving his Ranger around the property, building fires in the woodstove, caring for his beloved pets, and enjoying an occasional bourbon Manhattan. He spent many happy days on his boat, the "Shirley Ann", and cherished time playing poker with the guys, maple syruping, and, of course, gathering with his loving family. The Finley "Festivus" week during the Fourth of July was one of countless happy family times. Russ endured the loss of Shirley in 2011 once again with great grace and dignity, Russ was a man of humble pride, never complaining about the losses and struggles in his life. In fact, comforting others and caring for others was one of his specialties. In spite of his losses and the struggles that he endured with his eyesight, he never wanted others to pity him. Russ had a gentle sense of humor, and his friendships were life- long. He was most at peace doing things for others, especially friends and family. Russ led by example. His sense of duty, honor, integrity, and compassion were evident in everything he did. He was highly respected and loved by all who crossed his path. Russ was a brave man of great dignity, and enjoyed his life, his family and his friends to the end.