Belated condolences from Santa Fe to Susan and his whole family.  Jim was one of the good  guys. The world is better due to his visit with us. We lit a candle for him. at the cathedral.
 Jim and Mary Coffman.

All of us at the Castalia Trout Club are saddened by the loss of our friend and fellow fly fisherman. Jim was a pal and gentleman. He will be truly missed. 
Les Jacobs, President

Susan.
I am so very sorry to hear of Jim”s passing.  I just found out about it
Today.   I am sending my condolences to you and your family .   

Hope to see you in the Spring.   

Linda Cowan

I was so very saddened to learn of Jim's passing. He was a lovely, gracious man who managed to make everyone around him feel special. As a former Kenyon administrator (and fellow alum), I can attest to his deep and abiding affection for his alma mater, and his dedication to its students, faculty and staff.  His care and warmth made an impact on all who were fortunate to know him. Jim will be deeply missed. 

Meredith Harper Bonham '92

I learned of Jim’s passing today and I am heartbroken.  He was my special Kenyon brother.  We lived together our senior year and had a great time!  I cherish that we were able to maintain this friendship over the years.  The times Belinda and I were able to spend with Jim and Susan are special memories for us.  Jim will be deeply missed.

Belinda & Jim Lieberman

Always enjoyed his presence at finance board meetings at St. Charles.  Wonderful, caring man who shall be missed.  God rest his soul.  Patrick Vaccaro

Susan, 
We are so sorry. We didn't  see each other so often after we moved but I always looked forward to my time with him. He is already missed.
Conrad & Sheree

Susan, I am sending you and your family my deepest condolences and prayers for strength on your loss of Jim…
This leaves me GOBSMACKED 😶 
MUCH LOVE 💕

Dear Sue,

Dave and I are so sorry for your loss. We first met Jim when he joined you on the culinary trip to Tuscany in 2007, and since then, we've had the pleasure of spending time with both of you at several dietitian-focused culinary events over the years.

Along the way, we came to learn—from others—that the kind, gracious man on those trips was also a highly accomplished international businessperson. He generously applied his business and marketing expertise to support, directly or indirectly, the dietitians on those trips and throughout the profession. 

We will always remember Jim as a truly kind and caring person—someone who made everyone around him feel seen, valued, and at ease.

- Alice Henneman and Dave Palm

Jim lived a full life.  I first met Jim in 1961 as freshmen at St. Charles.  He claims to have earned the first athletic letter in our class, in golf.  Sixty-four years later, I cannot dispute his claim.  He was our class of ‘65 president.  He became, over the years, the heart and soul of our class.  He and Susan graciously hosted our last three class reunions; the last time was just three weeks ago.  He was always the first one to show at our class’s weekly gatherings at Plank’s (and the first to leave, usually with a veggie pizza for Susan.)  Sadly, his chair will be empty this week.  I will miss him.

I am very blessed to have had Uncle Jim in my life.  I’ll always remember the advice he gave me and the stories he shared. He had a special kind of wisdom, the kind that came with humor, heart, and just the right amount of tough love. He was one of my biggest supporters and I will miss him and our chats.

Sincere condolences to the Finn family on the loss of this kind, smart, and friendly soul. Jim will be remembered with fondness.

I didn't know Mr. Finn.  I only knew his stepson, John, and I know how much John cared about and honored his stepfather.  So, to John Finn, friend of my son, Christopher Johns, we send our condolences and hope that he will find peace and solace for his grief in his memories of this special man.

GRACE IS HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW
for James Patrick Finn ( 1947 - 2025)

Redeeming grace you found in every heart.
Through you we saw the best of Kenyon's way
to join in writing Nature's special art.
And deft with words that show more than they say --
the life you wrote -- and there between each line
your zeal for life has shaped a narrative
describing generosity's design,
that needs a poet's words to breathe and live,
while OWL and UNICORN with joy still smile.
Fair Harvard taught us VERITAS' task
remains a steady faith to reconcile
unfolding truths to questions all must ask.
Hope -- the lesson left by you we tell --
shows us  'meadows sweet with asphodel'.

With deep sympathy and admiration,

Royal Rhodes, The Donald L. Rogan
Professor of Religious Studies Emeritus
Kenyon College

To the Finn family, 
May your happy memories with Jim give you peace and comfort during this challenging time.
Sincerely, Marilyn and John Dilley

I have known Jim since September,1961, when we entered high school at St. Charles. What a smart, dynamic, friendly person he was, then and throughout his amazing life. Our classmates still get together Tuesdays at Planks on High, and Jim (and sometimes Sue!) was usually there. Always a smile on his face. Jim, Susie and I will never forget you.

To all of the Finn's, I am so very sorry to see that Jim has passed. You are all in my thoughts and prayer.

Jim, will be missed by so many people , including Peggy and me. Since first knowing Jim in his St. Charles days, I have always looked forward to seeing that infectious smile, and being lifted up by his engaging spirit. Jim was bright, committed and always positive. His commitment to St. Charles and Kenyon made a big difference at those institutions. God give us a kind soul when He created Jim. 
Peggy and Bob.

Of the many wonderful acts that make up Jim's legacy, a small but important piece was Pipe Valves, Inc.  Jim and his brothers acquired the company from its founder in 1987, and Jim ran the company through December 31, 2000.  During his leadership, he made critical decisions that led the company through technological investments, growth in sales and profitability, the successful retirements of founding employees and perhaps most importantly his decision to find another local investor to acquire the company when he was ready to retire.  Because of that, Pipe Valves continues to reinvest, grow, and celebrate retirements today. On October 1, 2024, Pipe Valves, became 100% employee-owned and the 70 employee-owners and their families have Jim Finn and his family to thank for playing a key role in our legacy.

Jim was a good man and a great friend. Sarah and I are so sorry that we cannot be there to celebrate his extraordinary life. His kindness and affability were evident to all he met and he will be sorely missed. St. Charles Preparatory school is flourishing today because of his leadership and generous support. May God bless him and give Susan the strength she will need to get through this trying time. Requiescat in pace.

Dominic Cavello and Sarah Mazer

Over the past 20 years, Jim had become a dear, trusted, and valued friend. As he joined the Kenyon Review board of trustees, we grew to know each other, and we enjoyed traveling and discovering new places together. His advice and support were always welcome and deeply valued. In recent years, we enjoyed going out once a month or so for dinner and wonderful conversation. He was steadfast, loyal, and kind, and I shall miss him terribly. My heart also grieves for Susan.

Sue….my prayers and condolence  are for you and your family as you comfort one another  
Joan mack

Dear Sue,

Rich and I are so sorry for your loss and are sending our love and prayers.  We have such fond and happy memories of sharing a good laugh with you and Jim, most recently on Monday.  God bless and comfort you. 

Fondly, 
Lorrie & Rich Breen

Dear Sue
So sorry for your loss.
I am grateful I was able to spend time with the two of you in Croatia this past May.
I will always remember him as a smiling listener with a great laugh.

Love to you!
Laura Coti Garrett

Uncle Jim was truly one of a kind - one of the all-time greats. To me, he’ll always be “the godfather,” a nickname that couldn’t fit him more perfectly and a title that perfectly captures his larger than life personality. Words can’t begin to express how deeply I’ll miss him. His laugh, his warmth, and his endless positivity lit up every room he walked into.
 
Jim had an incredible gift for making everyone feel welcome, seen, and included. He had a wonderful sense of humor - endearingly eccentric, with his unique “collections” and those funny little food stashes that always made us smile. Those quirks were just part of his magic and the love he shared so freely.
 
Family meant everything to him, and he showed it every day. I’ll forever be thankful for the love and support Jim and Sue gave us during our daughter’s cancer journey. Their strength and steadiness carried us through one of the hardest times of our lives and something we will never forget.
 
Jim lived with his heart wide open. He gave his time, his love, and his laughter without hesitation. His example of kindness, generosity, and joy is something I’ll carry with me always. He left this world better than he found it and set a standard for all of us to follow.

My condolences Susan.  You always seemed so happy after you met Jim. Rebecca Cokonougher (Tyne)

If ever there was a hail fellow well met, he was Jim Finn, my friend, fellow trustee of Kenyon College, colleague as chair of the board of the Kenyon Review and person of utmost integrity, commitment and gratitude. He will never leave me as an inspiration for making the world a better place through his good work, charity and grace. We are lucky to have him in our thoughts forever.

Throughout my thirteen years of event/catering services at Kenyon College and current position as General Manager of The Kenyon Inn, I’ve had the privilege of time spent with Jim.  
Word of campus visits or simply reading his name on a guest list would instantly brighten the room and ensure moments of laughter lie ahead.  
His genuine interest in the lives and wellbeing of those he encountered was extraordinary and his “way with people” will go unmatched.  
We will miss his comedic nature, his welcoming smile and his ability to ensure everyone felt like someone special.   Jim’s absence will be endlessly felt by us all.  

Sending love & deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Finn 
- The Kenyon Inn & Restaurant

Dear Sue,
Thinking about you and your family during this time and I’m so sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. I’m certain he will be missed by many especially you of course - prayers and condolences being sent.. 

Cecilia Fileti

In my relatively short tenure on the Kenyon Board, Jim quickly became a person to whom I gravitated naturally. I am grateful for every opportunity I had to be in his presence. Every exchange was filled with humor, smiles, warmth, candor, and kindness. This world could use more like him. My deepest condolences to his entire family.

~Maraleen Shields

Dearest Reeni and Finn Family, 
We are so sorry to hear about Jim's passing!
Jim can be remembered by his wonderful humor, sweet smile and always with a twinkle in his eyes.
May the angels watch over Jim. 
With Love, Patti and Bill Meyer

Our hearts and prayers go out to Sue and everyone whose life was made better by Jim. He and Sue have been great friends to my parents (Judy and Herb Dodd). His generosity and kindness is one of the many ways he will be remembered.

Jim was one of the most interesting, & sometimes eccentric man I have  ever known. I met him in my early twenties and  I worked with him as his  interior designer. We started in Trouville before he married Susan.  Since then I’ve been lucky to  have worked with Jim & Sue on many homes & renovations. I’m now 70 so you can see it’s been a long friendship. It was a shock to my heart upon hearing he died. I thought he’d be here forever. My heart goes out to Susan. They were best friends as well as marriage partners. Jim was a one of a kind, generous, fun, a Renaissance man.

Jim was a wonderful generous thoughtful man a great Husband and awesome Father

Our deepest condolences to Sue and to all of Jim and Sue’s family.   No better friend, mentor, teacher, host, confidant.   Jim will be missed beyond measure and at the same time will forever be remembered in our memories and conversations for a very long time!  Rest in peace dear Jim.

OBITUARY

James Patrick Finn

November 5, 1947 – October 14, 2025

Schoedinger Northwest

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