Obituary of Herbert C. Finley

GOUVERNEUR – Herbert C. Finley, Sr., age 87, of Gouverneur, passed away on July 23, 2018 at the Gouverneur Hospital. Calling hours will be held at French Funeral Home in Gouverneur on Friday, July 27, 2018 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. His funeral service will be on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Beth Quick officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Lake Cemetery in Brasie Corners. Herb was born on February 22, 1931 in Gouverneur to the late Carl and Edna Mae (Williams) Finley. He graduated from the Gouverneur Central School and married Helen Hanratty on September 7, 1951 at the St. James parsonage by Rev. Diviney. Helen passed away on February 21, 2008. Herb had worked for the Borden Milk Plant in Gouverneur for about 18 years before being hired by St. Joe Mineral Corp. At St. Joe he spent time as a truck driver, a laborer, and a crusher operator for 25 years before his retirement in 1993. In his free time, Herb loved seeing his grandchildren, visiting during the Friday luncheons at the Gouverneur United Methodist Church and at the Macomb Community Wesleyan Church, rock collecting and puttering around the house. Herb had the gift of gab and was a member of the Gouverneur Senior Citizens, Gouverneur Senior Citizens, the Gouverneur United Methodist Church and enjoyed luncheons. His survivors include his three children, Herbert Finley Jr., Shawn Finley and his wife, Margaret, and Dawn McCollum and her husband, Glenn "Butch"; his brother, Laurel Finley and his wife, Lorna; 8 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, and his companion, Laura White. In addition to his parents and his wife, Herb is predeceased by three brothers, Murray, Xury and Lauren Finley. Donations in memory of Herb may be made to the Macomb Community Wesleyan Church Building Fund, 12 Co. Rt. 7, Gouverneur NY 13642. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.