Reverend Terence "Terry" Michael Finch

With great sadness we report the death of The Reverend Terence (Terry) Michael Finch. Terry passed away peacefully at Nanaimo Regional Hospital Palliative Care on Friday, September 23, 2022 with his loving wife, Lee Mason, at his side. Terry had just celebrated his 84th birthday in August.

Terry was born in the town of Taunton in the County of Somerset England. The family moved to Canada when Terry was still a youngster but did move back to England for a short time during that period. After completing his basic education, Terry worked at a number of jobs before answering the call to Ministry. Terry laughing said, “God can be quite persistent”. He was fortunate to secure a place at Harvard Divinity School and received his Bachelor of Arts degree and subsequently his Master of Divinity. Through the United Church of Canada, he served at congregations across the country until moving to Lake Cowichan and a well earned retirement.

As a true aesthete, Terry loved beauty, art and music. With that amazing baritone voice, he would sing in every language and every kind of music. To him, life was about music and he had a particular love of jazz. For many years Terry hosted a radio program during which he interviewed many well-known jazz artists. He loved beauty; whether it was the natural beauty around us or a Renaissance painting. That love could also be seen in his books – everything from heavy tomes of ancient philosophy and theology to books on Shakespeare.

Terry was a life-long learner and was always working on something new. He became an expert on birds – particularly those of B.C. He would often say “listen to the song and identify the bird”. The world of mushrooms was another of Terry’s passions. There isn’t a mushroom alive that Terry couldn’t recognize and provide a complete background about.

Terry was an also a well-established oenophile – a true connoisseur of wine who enjoyed a glass throughout his adult life. Not to say that he was a wine snob – but he did love a good wine.

Terry will be remembered for his sense of humor and his quick wit. He had a particular penchant for the English language was a stickler for correct grammar and word usage. You could often hear him utter a pun followed by a low groan.

Terry loved people and had an incredible gift of empathy. He was a true friend and mentor to many over the years. One couldn’t be around Terry for long without being impacted by his passion for life.

In addition to his wife, Lee, Terry is survived by his son Peter, sister Valerie Martindale (James) and granddaughters Zoe Lola and Molly Catherine Finch. Terry was predeceased by his parents, Desmond and Iris Finch, his first wife Jean and son Ian.

Terry’s Celebration of Life will be at St. Andrews United Church, 315 Fitzwilliam St. Nanaimo on Friday November 4 at 11 a.m.