Tribute Wall
Saturday
30
October
Memorial Service
1:00 pm
Saturday, October 30, 2021
State College Presbyterian Church
132 W. Beaver Ave
State College, Pennsylvania, United States
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Dick Brinker posted a condolence
Friday, February 11, 2022
Just learned that Jim had passed last fall. Such sad news. He was a great colleague and we shared many days working together on Sustainable Forestry. He made an impact and will be greatly missed.
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Ron Taylor posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Just read in "The Forestry Source" that Jim passed away this past year. Jim and I worked together for, I believe eight months with the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station on inventory survey (FIA plots) in northern Maine starting June of 1970 into 1971 in Delaware. Those early memories we never forget. He was a great guy.
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Richard Lewis posted a condolence
Saturday, October 30, 2021
Dear Linda,
Thanks for allowing Jim's friends (like Jakie and me) who were unable to travel to State College today to attend Jim's Memorial Service virtually. It was a wonderful Memorial Service and a fitting and much deserved tribute to a father, husband, and friend we all knew and loved.
I especially identified with and enjoyed Allyson Muth's, Jim Grace's, Matt Keefer's, and Andy's comments. It's really something in today's world of family conflict and lack of civility when a son can say his dad was his "best friend". Andy's words speak so profoundly and so highly of the type of father Jim was to him.
Jim leaves behind a legacy of decades of forestry work and relationships that greatly improved Penn's Woods. He positively influenced the thousands of people who own, manage, or just care for our forests to become the best stewards of the forest they can be. I am one of those people. Although I have not known Jim as well as many of his friends and colleagues I have benefited from my friendship with him.
I will miss him.
Sending love and hugs,
Richard (and Jakie)
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Roy Siefert posted a condolence
Friday, October 29, 2021
I find it difficult to express my feeling of loss to the Finley family. Jim was not only a personal friend, but a rightfully honored and widely recognized forest authority. Fortunately, one thing that will keep me moving forward, is Linda's passion for forests and her ability to carry on Jim's important work. Linda is likewise a stellar pillar of support for our Pennsylvania forests and we need to support her and her passion for forests. She is uniquely positioned to carry on Jim's passion and humanity. Please remember Jim, but also support Linda to carry on his work, as he would be most proud of that.
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Jim Connor posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Jim was a fresh light on the field of forestry. He was passionate about his chosen life direction. I met him during my evolving career in forestry. We shared our iinterests in promoting forestry in Pennsylvania. I soon realized his life commitment to enhancing the field of forestry through education. He was a friend to me. My condolences to his family. Jim Connor, PA Bureau of Forestry, retired
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Martin Melville posted a condolence
Sunday, October 24, 2021
First of all, condolences. Not that it reduces the immediate anguish, but I would choose "death by tree" over cancer or lingering illness. The suddenness of Jim's death is like a needle being lifted off the record in the middle of your favorite song. Small consolation at the moment, but Jim is still with us in many ways, especially in the lives he touched.
Memories... I had the privilege of knowing Jim from the late 1980s. He was still working on his PhD. And building a house. He'd stop by Dunkelberger Lumber and get rough cut lumber as he saved up enough.
We worked for him at the Ag Progress woodlot a couple of times. Somewhere in his slide collection, there's a picture of me standing on a hung tree in the fork of the tree it was hung in. He was fond of using that picture as a conversation piece at landowner workshops, sort of a "kids, don't try this at home" theme.
He was active with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, often as the voice of reason. He was good at seeing many facets of issues, in a world that likes it simple He had a hand in developing many of the courses.
Perhaps my favorite memory: I was to speak to the Forestry Society, the student "club" for forestry. I asked him for a topic. He thought for a few moments and said "how about Causes of Diseugenic Practices in Pennsylvania's Forests." I said "sure," and went home to my dictionary. Diseugenic wasn't in there, but eugenics is the science of improving the genetics of a population. The presentation was a success.
Jim was always a kind, patient voice, an advocate for working forests, even when dealing with frustrating circumstances. Always looking forward. May the rest of us do half as well.
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Kevin Dangle posted a condolence
Friday, October 22, 2021
Dr. Finley,
I lingered alone today, among some trees, and I remembered you.
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Wei Jiang lit a candle
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
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Dr. Finley is the instructor for forestry class. he is so knowledgeable and passionate about forestry and he is always willing to help. My condolence to Dr. Finley's family
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Steve Chilcote posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Jim was on my graduate degree committee and I had the pleasure of interacting with him over the years from time to time. I wish I had spent more time with him as he was always cheerful, always helpful and willing to teach from his vast knowledge of forestry. He was a great educator and a real peach of a guy. I will miss him. The photo in this memorial is how I will remember him, always smiling.
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Mark Fajerski posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
The members of Southwestern Pennsylvania Woodland Owners Association offer their deepest condolences to Jim's family. Few people leave an impression on the world the way Jim did. He will be sorely missed. A really great guy.
Mark Fajerski
President, SWPWO
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HL Campbell posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
On behalf of Pennsylvania office of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, please accept our deepest sympathies. Jim was the rarest of individuals--a stellar researcher passionate about people and their place in the environment. He was a friend and mentor to many. His legacy will live on through them and those they impact. He will surely be deeply missed and always remembered.
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Layne Giering posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
My condolence to Jim's family. He was a great leader for all of us in forest stewardship.
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Ray Hicks posted a condolence
Monday, October 18, 2021
My deepest condolences to Jim’s family and many friends. I knew Jim through his published works and his reputation as a passionate forester who strives to help the woodland owners in Pennsylvania to better manage their forests. I met Jim at numerous conferences and found him to be a welcoming person who was easy to talk with and someone who loved his work. He set a high standard for our profession.
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Lin Greenaway posted a condolence
Monday, October 18, 2021
Whenever there was a meeting or program that we both attended, Jim was always quick with a hug and kind word. It wasn't professional, but I think Jim knew it made me feel like I was welcome in the very male dominated world of professional forestry. It was a small gesture, but it is the one I remember most about him. I will miss him a lot.
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Fran Chadick posted a condolence
Monday, October 18, 2021
Though I did not know Jim personally, his passion for Forestry and his impacts to our organization were always clearly evident. I can remember thinking while listening to Jim speak; "This man is extremely passionate about Forestry". May his family find solace in knowing that we all were truly blessed to have this passion shared with us.
My deepest condolences on his passing.
Fran Chadick
DCNR-Forestry
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David deCalesta posted a condolence
Sunday, October 17, 2021
I met Jim in the early 1990s when he was an Extension forester at PennState and I was a research wildlife biologist with the Forest Service at a lab in Warren PA. Even back then, he was recognized as an authoritative, informed, and involved advocate for sustainable management of all forest resources. His forestry footprint was everywhere and his judgment and advice regarding forest management were treasured by all. He leaves a huge legacy of caring for and nurturing of all the students and forest managers, public and private he mentored. There is no higher accolade than to say of a person that he/she made my life better. I miss my friend, peer, and mentor, Jim Finley, and grieve with friends and family for a life taken far too soon.
David deCalesta
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Carl S. Rohr posted a condolence
Saturday, October 16, 2021
My sincerest condolences to the Finley family. I will remember Jim as a wonderful teacher, a mentor, a friend and most of all a personable, caring and sincere man. The mark Jim left on my life is substantial. I will miss you my friend. May the woodlands always have a path to walk besides the quiet waters.
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Jo Robbins posted a condolence
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Jim was a wonderful teacher. His love for the forest was catching
When I joined the Forest Stewardship program, his enthusiasm brought memories of the forest area I grew up in.
(Cascade Mts) and hooked me in. He told wonderful stories of his forestry adventures. He introduced us to some wonderful authors.
My sincere sympathy to his family on their loss
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Scott Cary posted a condolence
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Dear Linda and the Finley Family,
Words are hard to come by for such a loss to your family and our world. Jim was one of those exceptional people who truly made a difference. He was a mentor, role model, and hero to thousands of conservationists and others here in PA and beyond. He was "Pennsylvania's Forester".
His legacy will live on through his great work and teaching. We grieve this loss along with your family and wish we could carry more of the burden for you.
Scott Cary (PSU Forest Science-'92)
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Kristen Saacke & Joel Blunk posted a condolence
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Dear Linda, Andy, and Family, We are holding all of you in our prayers during these difficult days. You already know what an enormous impact your husband, Linda, and your father, Andy, had on so many. Count the Saacke Blunk family among them. I can't tell you what my earliest memory and gratitude is for Jim. I know that I have a graduate degree from Penn State in large part because you, Linda, with Jim, took care of my family for a week so that I could sequester to write a thesis.... as you fed and readied my family for the day - and then helped them after school each day right up to bedtime. I am grateful for this - and for so much else through Jim's counsel professionally and across life. Know that we are with you in spirit - and beyond grateful for all the ways Jim has made our world a better place for current and future generations. love, Kristen & Joel
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Nan Cressley posted a condolence
Friday, October 15, 2021
Dear Linda and family,
It is with deepest sympathy that we send our condolences to you and the family. Jim was a very special man who taught many people to love the forests. We have wonderful memories of our time here when we hosted the yearly meeting with Jim. He helped Monroe identify a very rare oak tree that we have growing on our farm that Monroe couldn't identify. It took some time but through his persistence we were finally able to find out just what it was. He touched many, many lives with his knowledge and know how of the forests and became a great friend to Monroe and Tony. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers as you now journey down the road without him. God bless, Deepest affections, Monroe and Nan Cressley
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Peter Smallidge lit a candle
Friday, October 15, 2021
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Dear Linda and Family:
I am so sorry for your loss. Jim was a great man, who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. I offer my prayers for all.
Peter Smallidge
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Barry & Debra Capell posted a condolence
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Dear Linda and family - truly we have lost one of the greats - not only in forestry, but in humanity. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Greg lit a candle
Thursday, October 14, 2021
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Dr. Finley was a kind and generous man, and important mentor of mine as a Penn State Forestry student. I will always be grateful to have known him.
Condolences, Greg Zausen PSU '02
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Daniel Snyder lit a candle
Thursday, October 14, 2021
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My sincere condolences. Losing Jim is a loss for everyone in the forestry community. Dan Snyder
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Mary Rockey Johnston lit a candle
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
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I was so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was a wonderful man and one of the best humans on this earth. He never had a bad thing to say about anybody and was always sharing his smile. Many condolences to his family.
A Memorial Tree was planted for James Finley
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
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