George Finck

1920 - 2017

George Agoos Finck

May 9, 1920 – January 6, 2017

It is with sadness that we report the passing of George Agoos Finck, in San Francisco, CA on January 6, 2017. George died peacefully at home after a long illness. He will be remembered for his gentle and generous nature, elegant manners, keen intellect, ability to listen, and subtle sense of humor. George was born in Brookline, MA of Harry Finkelstein, M.D. and Rosa Agoos. He graduated from Boston Latin School and received his AB degree in political science from Yale University (1941) and MBA from Harvard Business School (1943). During WWII he served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy aboard the U.S.S. Petrof Bay escort aircraft carrier where he was responsible for aviation ordnance, much in contrast to his peaceful nature. In this role he experienced some of the fiercest battles in the Pacific theatre: the battle of Leyte Gulf and the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea where his ship was one of the first to be targeted by suicide "Kamikaze"pilots. Following WWII he settled in New York City where he became an entrepreneur with his longtime friend, Sheldon Dietz. Together they founded several companies including: GS Harvale (based in NYC), specializing in "old School" neckties for corporations, and Chilmark Fleet (based in Chilmark, MA), the first long-line swordfishing company in the United states. He was actively involved in politics during his time in NYC, where he served as an aide to John Lindsey, a member of the U.S. House of Representative for the 17th District of New York (1959-1965) and subsequently as a campaign volunteer when John Lindsay became mayor of NYC in 1966. He was also an early advocate for the treatment of Autism, through the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York. He was preceded in death by his parent; his brother, Albert J. Finck, M.D.; his sister, Helen Finck Goldberg; and his grand-nephew, Russel Goldberg. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara Kimble Finck, M.D., San Francisco, CA; his sister, Lassie Finck Ulman; nieces, Phyllis Goldberg and Harriet Finck; nephews, Harry Goldberg and David Finck, M.D.; three grand-nieces, Sarah Finck, Rachel Finck, and Rebecca Finck; and grand-nephews, Andrew Goldberg and Ross Goldberg. A private remembrance will take place later this year in San Francisco, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to a charity of your choice that either feeds the hungry, prevents child abuse, or prevents animal cruelty; causes that George personally supported throughout his life.