Edmund Finley

1947 - 2023

Edmund Finley

Hartland, VT - Edmund F. Finley, Jr 77 of Hartland, VT shuffled loose this mortal coil on February 28, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family. Cancer sucks.

Ed was born on January 15, 1947 to Edmund Finley, Sr. & Esther (Kelley) in Philadelphia, PA. One imagines it was a cold day. Maybe it snowed.

Ed attended William Penn HS (Go Colonials!) in New Castle, DE and the University of Louisville, KY. He was a veteran of the US Air Force. He was stationed in NH, that's how he met his beautiful bride, Joan Clark. They were married sometime in June of 1966. His children continue to fail to remember the actual date.

Ed was a proud Delaware State Trooper and rose to the rank of Major. The day after retirement he backed a U-Haul up to their house in Delaware and he and Joan moved back to Vermont to be with her people. The children soon followed.

While in the Upper Valley, he worked for the Elks and for Frank Gilman as his 'retirement jobs'. There were a ton of awards, special projects and accolades along the way, but Ed wasn't one to brag, so we won't either.

Ed coached youth basketball with the Delaware State Police Youth League and he and his wife were season ticket holders to Dartmouth Men's Basketball. Dying before March Madness was probably not his idea.

Ed enjoyed fishing. He seldom caught fish, but he tried hard. He was a proud, active, board member of the Greater Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited since 2001 where he was an organizer of the Chang Memorial for many, many years.

He and his family have vacationed at a 'special lake' in Vermont every year since he married Joan. (Lake name withheld to prevent more tourists). This was his favorite time of year. Fishing with family and friends, spending time on the porch, telling tall tales and sharing a drink with immediate and extended family.

Ed is survived by his wonderful and patient wife, Joan (Clark), his very organized daughter, Joie Finley of White River Junction, VT, his talented son, Michael Finley, the rose to Ed's thorn, Michael's wife, Danna (Thomas) of Hartland, VT, his fantastic, smart, gifted, (he would go on, but we are getting charged by the word) grandchildren, Michael Finley of Lebanon, NH, and Kelley Finley of Hartland, VT, his siblings, the very artistic Theresa Mucha (Robert) of Cape Charles, VA, very beautiful, Lonie Sculley (Geoff) of South Bethany, DE and his favorite brother, Robert Finley (Susan) of Ocean View, DE and many beloved nieces and nephews.

This list would be incomplete without mention of his best friend since childhood, the handsome, Albert Littleton of Middletown, DE and the daughter he always wanted, Adrienne Owen of Smyrna, DE.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his very special sisters Judith Brimer & Denise Johnson, their husbands Roy & Richard, respectively, and dear nephew Kenny Brimer.

As per Ed's request there will be no visitation or funeral. His ashes will be scattered near a special lake up north.

In Ed's honor, take a kid fishing or if you have extra cash, make a donation to Greater Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited (or GUVTU) c/o: Dave Eastman 130 Grout Road Hartland, VT 05048 or Venmo to: @guvtu - Tell them Ed sent you. Ave Atque Vale.