John "Jack" Finch

The Finch Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday December 6, 2023 from 3 to 7 PM.

A funeral procession will form 9 AM at the funeral home on Thursday December 7, 2023.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 AM at Saint Joseph's Church in Kingston.

Burial will follow in Wiltwyck Cemetery.

John "Jack" Finch, 95, passed away Sunday December 3, 2023. Born and raised in Kingston, he is the son of the late Morton and Marie Vollmer Finch. Jack served our country and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from 1946-1948 aboard the USS Missouri. When he returned home, he attended New Paltz College where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Education. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Sharon Leaycraft, while sharing rides to college. They married after graduating college in 1953.

He began his teaching career in Kerhonkson, New York but spent most of his career in the Kingston City School District teaching middle school social studies and ultimately became principal of Ernest C. Meyer Elementary School in Hurley, where he retired in 1987.  During this time, he also served as a Kingston City Alderman and Majority Leader of the Common Council.  He then became an Ulster County Legislator. Additionally, Jack owned and operated John Finch Realty, as a Broker specializing in residential real estate sales. He enjoyed serving on the Board of the following organizations: SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees, NYS Heart Association, Senate House, and the Wiltwyck Cemetery Board.

Surviving are his children, Cynthia Dunn and her husband Mark, John Finch Jr. and his wife Maureen, Mark Finch, Michael Finch and his wife Beth, his grandchildren, Allison Levi, Jeffrey Dunn, Matthew Finch, Abigail Finch, and Madelyn Finch.  Three great-grandchildren also survive, Owen, Emma and Nathan. Jack's wife of 51 years, Sharon Finch predeceased him in 2004.

Expressions of sympathy in lieu of flowers may be made in the form of contributions to: Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc., PO Box 557, Stone Ridge, NY 12484.