Frank A. Finley

Frank A Finley, 97, of Swanzey NH passed peacefully on July 17, 2025 with family by his side.

Frank was born on March 29,1928 in Lisbon NH to the late Frank and Ida (Hannux) Finley. He graduated from Lisbon High School in 1946 where he played basketball and baseball. He entered the Army in 1951 and served in Korea. He continued his service as a sergeant in the Army Reserves from 1953 thru 1958 while he attended Plymouth State College, earning his BA in Education in 1959.

He spent many years in the education field throughout New Hampshire. He held positions of principal and assistant superintendent in Peterborough, principal in Charlestown NH and finishing his career in Strafford NH as a math teacher. He coached various school sports teams including baseball, soccer and basketball.

Frank was an avid golfer and cribbage player and enjoyed gardening, watching and identifying birds in his backyard, camping, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. He enjoyed root beer floats, often making them with his homemade root beer. He was affectionately known as Mr. Wonderful!

He was predeceased by the love of his life, Marguerite (McGuigan) Finley who he married in 1954 and enjoyed 71 years together. He was also predeceased by his son John in 1989; grandson Seth Clark in 2005, brothers Lyle, Durwood, Harlan, Maxwell, Donald and his sisters Catherine McNamara and Arlene Clough.

He will be greatly missed by his family; son Frank Finley and wife Linda of Sterling Va; daughters Debra Esslinger husband Peter of Clarendon VT and Marcia Clark and husband Steve of Richmond NH; grandchildren Matthew, Joben and Megan Esslinger, Sara Moriarty and Ryan Finley, seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services for Frank and Marguerite will be held at 11:00on Aug 4,2025, at the Center Strafford Cemetery in Strafford NH, with military honors for Frank.