James Thomas Finn

He leaves his wife and sweetheart of nearly 66 years, Doris (Wright) Finn, along with his niece Joyce Welty and her husband George, her children Deborah, Marian, Denvy and great-great niece Breezy. He will also be missed by his wife’s family, Stan, Nancy and Kevin Wright and Karen, Andrew, Katie and Laura Robison and Lois Miner, Kathy Perez and John Bachelor.

He was preceded in death by his sons James (Jimmy) Denvy Finn and Jerrold (Jerry) Stanley Finn, his sisters Marian and Norma June and his nephew Kenny Mayes.

Born in Springfield, IL, the son of Dorothy and Denvy Finn, Jim moved to Long Beach, CA in his teen years. He graduated from Wilson High School, where he lettered in basketball and football. The Long Beach First Church of the Nazarene benefitted from Jim’s athletic skill in playing for the church league teams for many years.

Jim married his sweetheart, Doris (Wright) Finn on June 30, 1950, after meeting at the Long Beach First Church of the Nazarene. Church life was very important to the Finn family. He served on the church board, as chief usher and as president of Men’s Fellowship.

Early in his career, Jim worked with his father in the family plumbing business, the Finn Plumbing Company. He then went on to work for the city of Long Beach, as a plumbing inspector, eventually becoming chief inspector. For several years, Jim served on the board of IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials). In 1988-1990, he was the chairman of the board. This board set the plumbing regulations for the US.

Jim was a very devoted husband and father. Many years were spent traveling, water-skiing, and playing tennis and golf in the company of good friends. In difficult times Jim offered a quiet strength to his family as they weathered stormy days in the illness and death of their two sons. For many years, Jim daily walked the Seal Beach pier, wearing his signature hat. It was in this setting that he prayed and walked to find strength to meet each day.

A funeral service will be held July 5, 2016, 2:30 pm in the main chapel at Westminster Memorial Park, Westminster, CA.