John Arthur (Art) Finch, age 96, went to meet his Lord and Savior on December 16, 2024. He is survived by his loving and adored wife of 63 years of marriage, Olga, beloved sons and daughters-in-law Scott (Liliana) of Decatur, GA and Jeff (Tricia) of Venice, FL, and grandchildren Nicholas, Ellie, and Sofie Finch. He is also survived by sister-in-law Betty Jean Papanek of Santa Clara, CA.
Art was a WWII veteran, First Cavalry Division, U.S. Army, who served in the Occupation of Japan. He graduated from St. Lawrence University and received his MBA from Western New England University. He was a retired manufacturers’ representative.
Art had a servant’s heart and was very active in volunteer work. He visited Shriners Children’s Hospital in Tampa weekly for 10 years alongside Charlie, his beloved dachshund certified by Therapy Dogs International (TDI). Art took great satisfaction in seeing the pleasure Charlie brought to the children, their families, and the staff at Shriners. He also enjoyed 20 years volunteering for Meals-on-Wheels through his church, Bell Shoals, Brandon, FL. For Art, delivering meals was not just about the food but about lifting the spirits of those on his regular route.
When Charlie died in 2010, Art did not plan to get another dog. However, through Liliana and the Internet, he adopted a rescue dog named Chester. After getting Chester TDI-certified, Art resumed visits to Shriners. In 2013, they joined TDI’s “Tail Waggin’ Tutors” program, visiting local libraries where children could read to therapy dogs to gain confidence in their reading skills. Seeing the impact on the kids, Art assembled a team of handlers and their certified dogs, who visited libraries (Brandon, Bloomingdale, Riverview, and 78th Street) and brought the joy of reading to many.
Above all things, Art was kind. He built a beautiful life alongside Olga and will be greatly missed.
A visitation/gathering of family and friends for Art will be held 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. this Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Southern Funeral Care, 10510 Riverview Drive, Riverview, FL 33578.
Graveside services, with Military Honors, will be held 12:30 P.M. Monday, December 23, 2024, at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241.
A Celebration of Life service will be held in the Chapel at Bell Shoals Church 2102 Bell Shoals Rd., Brandon, FL, 33511, on Monday, January 27, 2025 at 1:00 P M. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Art’s memory be made to either Bell Shoals Church or the Shriner's Hospital for Children, Holiday 3X Match challenge, https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/campaign/646130/donate. Copy and paste web address or click below.
Previous Events
Celebration of Life Service
27
Jan
2102 Bell Shoals Road
Brandon, FL 33511
