John Finley

Hudson, MA

John T. Finley, of Hudson, MA, passed away on May 18, 2022 at Marlborough Hospital, following a brief illness.

John was born in Boston on October 4, 1954 to William and Mary (Doherty) Finley. John was a veteran of the US Military, having served in the Coast Guard.  Following his honorable discharge, John was employed at Raytheon as an Electric Technician and later, at Foley Vending. John was an active member of the AA Community and had achieved over 25 years sobriety, of which he was very proud.

John is survived by his loving daughters, Kelly Finley (her children, Kasey and Summer) and her fiancé Earl Wallace and Jennifer Finley (and her daughters, Paige and Ava).  He also leaves behind his brother Charles “Charlie” and a sister, Denise.  He was predeceased by his parents and by his older brother, William (Billy).  He is also survived by his former wife and mother of their children, Deborah (Salman).  He also leaves behind several cousins to whom he felt close, Steve and Gene, as well as Brian and Kenny.  Family was very important to John and came in the form of anyone he could trust and to whom he felt a close connection.  He also leaves behind his close friend, Geoff (and his special dog, Lucca, whom John adored), his boys at Chestnut, and his “best” friend Susan McClurken.

When his children were younger, he enjoyed bike riding and traveling to the coast, by the beach and looking at lighthouses, with them

In more recent years, John enjoyed watching the birds around his home, ensuring there was always a plentiful supply of food in the feeders for them.  Music also played a large part in his life and could often be heard blasting from his room.  John was an avid car enthusiast and spent many afternoons watching Mecum and talking about some of the cars he had in his younger years.

John enjoyed donating to various organizations, especially those near and dear to his heart and to his own story, such as those supporting mental health and suicide prevention, veteran organizations and homeless shelters.

John was a man of faith and looked forward to times of fellowship and prayer and enjoyed learning about other people’s religions and how they celebrated their own spiritual beliefs.

John had a wonderful sense of humor, which he shared with everyone until the very end.

Funeral services and burial with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 11:00 AM in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA. Please note: Anyone attending the services at the Cemetery must arrive between 10:45 and 11:00 AM. Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home, 50 Central Street, Hudson, MA 01749 is assisting John’s family and friends with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s name can be made to the Pine Street Inn, 444 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118.