Conesus/Camden, NY: Clifford John Finch died peacefully at home in Conesus, NY on March 9, 2015 at age 93. He is predeceased by his parents William & Maugerite (Chase) Finch and siblings Beverly, Howard, Floyd and Carl Finch. Clifford will be dearly missed by his entire family, including his wife of 73 years, Arlene Finch, son Stephen Finch (Fran Whitney) of Vernon, NY, granddaughters Reneé Finch and Erica Edwards and grandson-in-law Robert Edwards. Clifford will also be missed by his great-grandson, Chase Finster, sisters-in-law Maxine and Kay Finch as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Clifford John Finch was born on January 18, 1922 in Camden, NY to William and Maugerite Finch. Clifford graduated from Camden High School in 1939 and met his wife-to-be, Arlene Parker, shortly thereafter. The couple was wed on October 29, 1943 at Trinity Church in Camden, NY. Cliff and Arlene adopted their son, Stephen, three years later.
During WWII, Clifford volunteered for naval service where he studied diesel mechanics and served honorably as a water tender until his discharge in 1946. Clifford supported his family over the next twenty-five years using his diesel mechanic skills as the owner-operator of a freight transport company based in Bernhards Bay, NY. During this time, Cliff also enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles, building projects, tinkering with things and camping. Clifford became “Grampa” in 1975 and again in 1977. Over the next years, Cliff and Arlene toured the United States on camping vacations, often with their young granddaughters. Upon retirement, they moved to Bouse, AZ and enjoyed life socializing with numerous friends, gardening, camping and exploring the desert. Their close family visited often and everyone greatly enjoyed their times together under the blue desert sky. In their later years, Cliff and Arlene moved back east, first to Greeneville, TN where they lived for five years, and then to Conesus, NY to live with their granddaughter and grandson-in-law. Clifford enjoyed his final years visiting with family and gardening, even building a rock wall when he was 88 years old. He enjoyed crossword puzzles until he lost his sight in 2013, after which he enjoyed petting the family German Shepherds and rocking in his chair. Cliff was delighted to become “great-grampa” in August of 2014. Clifford wished to remain at home, with family, until his final breath. It was our honor to make that possible and we could not have done so without the unwavering commitment of close friend and caretaker Lynn Stotz of Avon. Special thanks also to everyone at Hospice of Livingston County. Clifford leaves behind a legacy of love. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services will be held privately. Memorial contributions may be made to the Livingston County Hospice, 2 Murray Hill Drive, Mt. Morris, NY 14510 or the Springwater Center for Meditative Inquiry, 7179 Mill Street Ext., Springwater, NY 14560. Arrangements entrusted to the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., Livonia-Honeoye. To send condolences and for further information please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
