James Joseph Finley, Jr. "Bud"

James Joseph Finley, Jr. "Bud" October 28, 1921 July 9, 2012 WINDHAM - James Joseph Finley Jr., 90, died July 9, 2012 at the home in which he was born on Finley Road in Windham, Maine, surrounded by his loving family. He was the son of James J. Finley and Mary K. (Molly) Burke Finley. He graduated from the Windham School in 1938. He also attended Portland Junior College until he enlisted in the Navy. During WWII, Jim was trained as a diesel mechanic and was stationed in the Fiji Islands where he repaired fighter and transport airplanes. When he returned from the war, he went back to his job at the Boston Maine Railroad, and also owned and operated a gas station on Morrill's Corner. "Bud," as his friends and family affectionately knew him, married Jean Francis Cushing of Munjoy Hill on Aug. 23, 1947 at Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland. They lived in Portland where they raised seven children, four girls and three boys; Cynthia , Colleen, Claudia, James III, Mark, Charlene and Sean. James III was born with disabilities and became one of the first clients at The Woodfords School, in which "Bud" and Jean were actively involved in its creation. The family eventually moved to the Finley family farm in Windham, where they enjoyed their extended family of grandchildren and great grandchildren. "Bud" was well known in Maine Harness Racing circles as for more than 35 years he was the Mutuals Manager for the Maine State Harness Racing Association at State Fairs, including Cumberland and Fryeburg, as well as out of state in Rutland, VT and Rochester, NH. "Bud" worked at Blue Cross/Blue Shield as a Personnel Manager and Manager of Contract Services. He retired from the company after more than 20 years of service. Mr. Finley then owned and operated the fishing vessels "Avatar", "Terri and Ruth", and "Lady Ann" from the Portland Custom House Wharf for the next 20 years. "Bud" was an active member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in North Windham, where he was well known for serving roast beef suppers to the community. He was a Senior Knight in the Knights of Columbus, and a member of United Commercial Travelers (UCT). He was also a fund-raiser for the Woodfords School in Portland. "Bud" was an avid bowler and participated in bowling leagues up to the end of his life. In his free time, Bud enjoyed spending time outdoors in the woods, watching sports and entertaining friends and family. He is survived by his wife Jean Finley, daughter Cynthia and her husband Ben Braasch of Portland; daughter Colleen and her husband Chris Olsen of Windham; daughter Claudia Foster of South Portland; son James Finley III of Scarborough; son Mark Finley of Palm Springs, CA; daughter Charlene and her husband James Stewart of Windham; and son Sean Finley and his wife Jennifer (Knight) of Franklin, MA. He is also survived by his grandchildren Benjamin and Zachary Braasch; Molly Olsen; Matthew and Timothy Foster; Kayla, Kristen and James Stewart; and Seamus and Sheridan Finley and great-grandchildren Devin, Lauren and Matthew Foster; and Michael and Jared Foster. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, July 12, 2012 from 5 - 8pm at A.T. Hutchins, LLC Funeral and Cremation Services, 660 Brighton Ave, Portland. The Knights of Columbus Council 10020 will recite prayers at 5:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on Friday, July 13, 2012 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress St, Portland, followed by interment with military honors at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Windham High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund in Bud's honor. Windham Alumni Association Attn: Treasurer Tammy Haskell 264 Gray Rd. Windham, ME 04062