Nicholas Finke

Nicholas (“Nick”) Finke was born in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1941, the oldest son of Detmar Heinrich Finke and Marian Greenlee, and older brother to Elizabeth (“Liz”) Hamill (nee Finke), Alexander (“Sandy”) Finke, John Greenlee Finke, and Dana Berkley Germaine (nee Finke). He grew up in Maryland and Western Massachusetts, surrounded by books and dogs. After high school, Nick entered the Society of Jesus as a novice and received undergraduate and graduate degrees in Philosophy and Classics from Boston College. After leaving the Jesuits, Nick worked as a family services probation officer for Middlesex County, Massachusetts, where he met his wife, Carolyn Finke (nee Donaldson). After Nick received his law degree from Harvard University in 1980, he and Carolyn moved to Ohio, where they raised two sons, Jon and Drew, near Carolyn’s extended family.

In the following years, Nick practiced law, taught law and philosophy to undergraduate and graduate students, and served the community at Ascension & Holy Trinity Church however he could.  He was most proud of his work on the archives for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.  He would spend his free time over the years learning new things and giving love and affection to his pet dogs.  He was a sharp wit, a voracious reader, and a keen listener. His compassion and generosity knew no bounds, and served him as he served others as a teacher, a mentor, a husband and a father.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, their son, Jonathan, his son and daughter-in-law, Drew and Alison, and his granddaughter, Emilia, upon whom he doted, as well as Pinot, his dog. His warmth, humor, and kindness will be forever remembered by his family, friends, neighbors, and everyone whose lives he touched.

Nick’s life will be celebrated at Ascension and Holy Trinity Church, 334 Burns Avenue, Wyoming Ohio, on Saturday, October 28, at 10:30 a.m.