JESS RAYMOND FINLEY, 98

EAST LIVERPOOL – Jess Raymond Finley passed away at his home on St. Clair Avenue in East Liverpool at the age of 98 at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2015.

He was born in East Liverpool on November 18, 1916, a son of the late Lucy Faye McHaffie Finley and Lester Hall Finley. He was raised in the Georgetown, PA, area, and was a 1934 graduate of Midland High School. Jess then made his way to East Liverpool and was associated for over 46 years with Crucible Steel Corporation, where he worked in mostly managerial positions, and was a department supervisor upon his retirement in 1982.

The Finleys were founding members of the 1st Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and Jess sang in the church choir nearly his entire life. Music was always near and dear to his heart, and for many years he sang in the Crucible Steel chorus and other barbershop quartets.

Jess was a longtime active member of the Elks Lodge #258 where he was made a life member in 1982. As a member of Masonic Lodge # 681, he received the Meritorious Service Award for loyal service to the lodge. Jess was also active in the Scottish Rite and the Shrine. He loved sports of all kinds, but especially enjoyed rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Following his retirement, he authored “Genealogical History of a Mackall Family in America,” and “Our Finley Family and Its Affinity”. Jess was always the “glue” that held his family together.

Preceding him on February 14, 2014 was his wife, the former Betty Huston Finley, whom he married on June 17, 1950.

Surviving are two sons, James Curtis Finley, of Skaneateles, NY, and Gregory Jess Finley and his wife, Sherri “Cheech” Finley, of Columbus, and a daughter, Barbara Jeanne Finley, of Irvine, CA

There are four grandchildren: Jessica E. Finley, Jess Robert Finley, Johnscott Gregory Finley and Cathy Chin and her husband, Gym, as well as three great-grandchildren, Finley and Virginia and Jacob Pease. Also surviving are two step-grandchildren, Mike Trayser and Elizabeth Romine and her husband, John Clemenzi, and three step-great-grandchildren, Grace Romine, Kathryn Clemenzi and Jack Clemenzi.

Jess was also preceded by his daughter-in-law, Mary Pat Romine, and three brothers; Curtis, Parkley and Herbert Finley.

Friends may visit at the Dawson Funeral Home on Thursday, where the family will be present from 4 to 6 p.m., an Elks Memorial Service will be held at 5:45 p.m. Thursday. Services will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 10:00 a.m., with Rev. Dr. Mark J. Dunn officiating. Burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery.

Contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to: Elks Lodge #258, 620 Broadway, E. Liverpool, OH 43920, or the 1st Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 300 W. 6th St., E. Liverpool, OH 43920.

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