Obituary of Robert Macy Finn

Robert Macy Finn, of Bedford, NY and Nonquitt, MA, formerly of Ardsley-on-Hudson, NY and Sharon, CT, died Friday, 12 July 2019, after a brief illness. Born in New York City on 22 July 1925 to James Finn and Kathleen Macy Finn, he was raised in Ardsley-on-Hudson, the fourth of eight children. 

He enlisted in the Army on his 18^thbirthday and fought in Belgium and Germany as afoot soldier in the 78th Infantry Division. He fought at the end of the Battle of Huertgen Forest, and was among the first to cross the Rhine at the Remagen bridge, which collapsed shortly after his company crossed, cutting them off from the allied forces on the western bank. At the cessation of hostilities he was at Düsseldorf, where he and his company liberated a slave labor camp. From there he was transferred to Berlin where he served in the American occupation until the 78th was demobilized in 1946. Wounded twice in battle toward the end of the war, he was awarded two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and his most coveted decoration, the Combat Infantry Badge, which recognized his contribution to the Lightning Division’s many ground engagements on the front lines of the Battle of the Bulge. 

After returning to New York, he embarked on an illustrious career in a variety of sales roles at Schaefer Brewing, Pepperidge Farm, Benton and Bowles, Johns Manville, and finally Hilti, from which he retired as executive vice president.

In 1950 he married Anne Bowen Brine of Boston. Their perfect marriage produced eight children and almost 54 years of pure joy, cut tragically short by her death in 2003. 

After his retirement, he and Anne travelled extensively, visiting their far flung family and fulfilling their ambition to pursue a lifelong quest for knowledge. He also imparted his sales and marketing expertise as a volunteer with International Executive Service Corps. to help companies in Eastern European countries emerging from communism to adjust to a market economy. In this capacity he and Anne lived in Poland, Ukraine and Bulgaria for extended periods of time, and servedas unofficial but effective ambassadors -- examples of the very best the US has to offer. Bereft after Anne’s death in December 2003, Bob continued their active intellectual, travel and family pursuits. 

In 2007, he married the former Pauline Harrison Winans of Bedford, NY. They enjoyed twelve happy and active years together

Bob Finn was an active sportsman into his nineties, playing golf (he shot a 45 on the front nine at Nonquitt on his 90th birthday), tennis daily with friends and family, paddle tennis throughout the winter, and riding his bicycle everywhere. A member of the New York Yacht Club, he and his family cruised and raced the L. F. Herreshoff yawl ‘Rogue’ around the northeast. A lifelong hockey player, he was known as the “ice tester” on local ponds.

He was also a voracious reader across a broad spectrum of works, including history, biography, fiction, and a long list of periodicals which fueled his intense interest in and knowledge of domestic politics and foreign policy. A keen bridge player, his mind was nimble to the end.

He is survived by eight adoring deeply saddened children and their spouses: Robert M Finn Jr (Kathleen O’Conor), Maggie Finn Gray (Gordon), Anne Finn Nelson (Mark), Christopher Finn (Anne Patterson), Mary Finn Wood (Steven), Timothy Paul Finn (Elizabeth Patterson), Kathleen Finn Carr (Kelly), and Nicholas Brine Finn (Sara Callagy); 19 remarkable grandchildren who were a constant source of pride, comfort, companionship and love to him and for him; his wonderful and supportive wife Polly, her four children and her eight grandchildren; three of his seven siblings: Anna Finn Pressly, Thomas M. Finn, and Macy Finn Doherty; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

 A memorial service will take place at St Matthew’s Church in Bedford, NY at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday 27 July.The Mass of Christian Burial and interment are private.  In lieu of flowers, donations to Person-to-Person (https://p2phelps.org/donate/) or Part of the Solution (POTS: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/potsbronx) would be deeply appreciated.