Walter J. Finkle

EAST GREENBUSH Walter J. Finkle, age 65 years, of Miller Road, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2006. He was born in Albany and has been a resident of East Greenbush all of his life. Mr. Finkle was employed as a crane operator for the Operating Engineers Local 106, working for the union for 45 years. He was also a licensed electrician. Walt was a US Army veteran. He was a member of the Rensselaer Lodge of Elks BPOE 2073 for 34 years. Walter was a life member of his beloved Nassau Sportsmen's Club. In the early to mid-1970s, he was one of the first members to teach the Rensselaer County Pre-Licensed Pistol Classes at the club. He enjoyed all the club functions including a little trap shooting, steak bakes and chicken BBQs. In recent years, even with the immobility of getting around in a power wheelchair, Walter tried to attend every steak bake and the new September pig roasts. When it came to supporting the club, he was eager to buy several tickets for the fund raising activities. In addition, he helped to build the now-defunct Outdoor Pistol Range and he assisted in running a few club and NRA Outdoor Pistol Matches. He enjoyed watching the kids have a great time at the club's annual Fishing Derbies and he always helped out any way he could. His belief of the importance of passing shooting discipline and sports on to the future generation caused him to spend countless hours as an instructor for the club's Junior Rifle Program. Son of Bertha A. Drost Finkle of East Greenbush and the late Calvin G. Finkle; companion of Josie Baker of Nassau; father of Tracy A. (John M.) Fisher of East Greenbush, Tricia (Jeff) Maling of Grand Isle, Vt. and Tiffanie M. (Donald A.) Fedorowicz Jr. of North Greenbush; grandfather of D'Auray, Delaina and Dennon Fisher and Aiden Michael Fedorowicz; brother of Barbara (Hal) Bartley, Jane (Ken) Allard and Peter Finkle. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. A memorial funeral service will be held at the W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer Saturday morning at 10:00. All are welcome to attend. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Nassau Sportsman Club, P.O. Box 241, Nassau, NY 12123. Condolence page at: www.wjlyonsfuneralhome.com