Charles Q. Finley

(Asbury Park Press)

CHARLES Q. FINLEY
AGE: 86 BRICK
Charles Q. Finley, 86, of Brick, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Ocean Medical Center, Brick. Mr. Finley was born May 21, 1922 and raised in Philadelphia, Pa. He attended the University of Pennsylvania for Journalism. He worked as a detective for Burns Detective Agency and as a Pennsylvania taxi driver as a young adult. He worked at the Courier Post of Cherry Hill for 20 years and the Newark Star Ledger for more than 40 years. Mr. Finley's name was submitted for a Pulitzer Prize twice - once for his articles for the plight of migrant farm workers and once for his series of stories about the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. His proudest accomplishment as a Newsman, was the millions of dollars that he raised for disadvantaged children through his articles with the "Christmas Fund" and "The Fresh Air Fund", while writing for the Newark Star Ledger. He was also an advocate for animals and their well-being.
Mr. Finley was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Katherine Finley; and lost both of his beloved wives, Beatrice Catanach Finley and Jean Ward Finley, to cancer. He is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Diane and Jerry Potuto of Brick, and Christi and Eric Grieb of Wall; his daughter, Brenda Sole of Ocean Township; and his five sons, Charles Finley Jr. of Brick, John Finley and his wife Diane of Toms River, Scott Finley and his wife Carla of Appleton, Wis., Roland Finley of Ft. Myers, Fla., and Danny Ward and his wife Michelle of Jim Thorpe, Pa. Mr. Finley also leaves behind nine loving grandchildren; and his faithful collie "Lassie".
There will be a memorial gathering from 1 p.m. Saturday until the memorial service at 3 p.m. at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main St., Toms River. Cremation will be private. Donations may be made to the Collie Rescue of Central New Jersey, 1003 Croton Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867, or the Fresh Air Fund, the Christmas Fund, or the Black United Fund.