Still cannot believe your gone , we miss you Brad , from your old Orange County Crew

To my handsome son!  I tried to write on your site on August 20th but it was just too hard...and I cried all day.  Luckily, my oldest friend Janet Knox, whose 2 daughters Shannon and Jolene, you used to love to tease so much, kept my mind busy all day long by messaging me.  There's not a minute in the day every day that I don't think about you and miss you so much!  I can't wait to hug you in Heaven!  Love you so much!

Brad...there's not a minute in each day that I don't miss and talk to you!  I can't wait to see you in Heaven!

Oops!  Meant your 41st birthday!  Your brother-in-law Mike turns 42 the same day as your birthday!

Happy 42nd birthday my son Brad!  I miss you so much!  I hope your birthday is wonderful up in Heaven!  I love you!  Mom

I remember when Brad gave me these two little Stork Pins on my birthday, June 15, 2012.  They were for the 2 babies he got to deliver as a firefighter.  One baby girl and one baby boy!  He told me that those were the two most happy and wonderous times of his life....getting to bring two more lives into this world.  I held those two pins and cried...on HIS birthday this past year:  January 18, 2014.  He would have turned 40 years old!  I love and miss you so much my son!  I know too that those two moms will always remember you every time they look at their precious children!

Brad, I remember nine years ago, after I lost my husband to cancer, your concern that I would not spend the holidays alone.  You wanted to make sure that I was not going to be alone.  I think of you and your bright spirit every day. I know that you are looking down on all your friends and family and making sure we are okay.

All day on Thanksgiving, I thought of my son Brad and how, even though he often had to work at the fire house, he truly adored Thanksgiving and Christmas!  He loved to watch "Planes, Trains, & Automobiles" with us and really adored the movie "Christmas Story" too!  The best for Brad though, was, not only the initial pigging out on turkey, gravy, stuffing, and mashed potatoes....along with our shared adoration for good ol' Ocean Spray jellied Cranberry Sauce...but oh...how he loved those left-overs!  Brad was known to get up in the middle of the night, just so he could nosh on maybe a turkey leg, and his favorite: the mashed potatoes! I miss you, my Son, so much!  Just wish you were here for me to hug you again!  Until I get to hug you in Heaven, know that we all love you so much!  Mom

I tried to find Brad recently. We lost touch after I got married and moved to Kodiak Alaska. Brad was my biggest motivator for following through with becoming a firefighter. He invited me on ride alongs at his station around 12 years ago. We worked out together constantly at the gym where I was a personal trainer. I would put together nutrition and workout programs for him. Lots of lunches and dinners, he felt like another brother of mine. He would talk about calls he went on, relationships that he had, family that he spent time with. And his stories always made me laugh. I always thought when I came back to Roseville we would catch up. Anytime I saw him it was like I had just talked to him the day before. He was truly an amazing person. I still have a housewarming gift that he bought me. It has survived through Coast Guard transfers, kids and pets. I was sick and I had a fever. Brad came over to check on me. I expected soup. He made me get dressed and dragged me to PF Changs. and ordered me dinner and a dirty martini. I still swear the martinis cleared up my flu! He bought me a cocktail shaker in case I ever got the flu again. I love you and will never forget the impact you had on my life.

I read the message your brother Chad left last night when we got home from vacation and I just started crying all over again because all we did was talk about the beautiful scenery we saw and all the majestic creations from God in places like the Grand Canyon and the rock formations that we know you would so have loved to have seen!  Last June you and I talked about these kinds of places and I was so excited when you were going to come out to stay with us so that we could have shown you some of these fabulous sites....but sadly, that was never to be.  I am only hoping that you are watching down on us and that you can't wait to share with us how much MORE beautiful Heaven is my Son!  I miss you so much!  I keep trying to tell myself that one day this awful pain and tears I shed each day will get better....but I know that they won't until I get to see you in Heaven again!

Today was really hard for me...I cried a lot.  Every time I go for a long run I hear songs that make me think of you.  I had so many dreams for us. I have a hole in my heart that will never be filled.  I can't stop thinking of what could have been.  I only wish you could have know how much we loved you...maybe things would be different.  I will always love you and miss you...you will always be my little brother.  I wish I could have prevented this...there is nothing I would not give to change what has happened.  I think these to quotes express exactly how I feel.  

“I guess by now I should know enough about loss to realize that you never really stop missing someone-you just learn to live around the huge gaping hole of their absence.” 

“Have you ever lost someone you love and wanted one more conversation, one more chance to make up for the time when you thought they would be here forever? If so, then you know you can go your whole life collecting days, and none will outweigh the one you wish you had back.”

Brad  I miss you my friend.  I know you are keeping an eye on all of your friends and trying to make a memory pop into our heads and make us smile.  Your bright smile and kindness will never be forgotten.  Life goes on...but this world is a little less bright without you in it.

Brad-it's pretty incredible the amount of impact you had on people, even during the most brief encounters.  We were so young when we met.  I fell "in like" with you instantly.  It didn't take me very long to figure out why people love you and to fall in suit. Over fifteen years have gone by and I can still hear your voice, crystal clear.  Remember that trip we took to Tahoe to see that country concert, and my dad's truck lost traction on the ice?  I was all panicked and you recovered quickly with a cackle, and said in your silly high pitched voice, "Chill La!" Also the day you watched Dayna and took her to the circus in 110 degrees.  I came back and you had a filthy toddler in your arms, a beer in hand and the look of "don't mess with me" on your face!  All I could do was laugh.  She's 17 now, and exactly like her mother...you two would gang up on me unmercifully!  There are few people on earth that have the ability to make me laugh until my sides hurt the way you could...and then turn around an have the most meaningful conversation about something.  Gosh I wish we could visit!!!  I'd love to listen to one of the stories that you used to tell about your friends/co-workers-you sure know how to make the story the best it can be!  I still can remember all those names and faces that I got to know through your introduction.  Thank you for such great memories.  I hope that you are in a wonderful place and surrounded by angels that dote on you.  I'll always think fondly of that handsome smile that shows in the squint of your eyes.  Missing you on this day, Brad.  I hope that you hear all of the prayers sent your way.

My dearest Brad:  Andy tells me that the sycamore tree in front of your house is fully leafed out.  I know how much you and Andy loved that tree and how the two of you would often sit under it to discuss matters.  I so hope you are enjoying the most beautiful trees that God has provided for you in Heaven!!  You can show me all of them when I get to come be with you and all of the rest of our loved ones!  I miss you so much Brad!  I will always love you!  Mom

Happy 39th birthday my son!  While I know your birthday was actually January 18th, I'll admit:  I was just too choked up and sad to write this that day but want you to know that you were in all of your family's hearts and those of all of the many friends who loved you and love you still!  Each day I think with longing that we all are one more day closer to seeing you in Heaven! Your loving Mom

Finchie! We shared a loving friendship over the past 10 years and although our time was brief in the big picture I want you to know that you made a huge impact on my life. We would sit and talk for hours about life, and love, relationships and family. You were an old soul with deep thoughts that added so much to the lives of those who shared the journey with you. I feel blessed to have known you and thank you for touching my life. I miss you so much and I am so sad you are gone. I'll see you when I come home....please continue to be the angel you have always been. So much love & respect Finchie...

My dearest Brad:  We just came back from having Christmas at Chad's & I've given your sister Carly your firefighting Christmas ornaments as she will so lovingly cherish them!  We all miss you so much!!  There isn't a day that I don't talk to you....I so hope you can hear me because I can still hear your voice when you'd call me laughing and say "Hi Mamacita!"  I just look forward each day knowing it's one day closer that I will get to hug you & see your smiling face in Heaven!  I love you so much Brad!

Your Mom & of course, "Pops"

Well we planted that sycamore at Goody's moms house yesterday so I guess this is where I say goodbye. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss you brother! I'll scroll through our text messages and still laugh hysterically at what we used to say to each other. Goody and Dad and I sat around last night telling some classic Finch stories eating your favorite (moms enchiladas and carrot cake) and of course making fun of you hahaha! Almost 20 years.....you were more than just a friend, you were my big brother! The look of "shock and awe" on my moms face while you told stories will forever remain priceless! It's gonna be tough not having you around the house for Thanksgiving dinner this year but I know you're happy now and that you're in a better place. You have forever changed my life and gave me motivation through P school. I love you man!!P.S. Tell the man up there to prepare himself for when we meet again!! HAHA

This morning I awoke to one of the most uplifting and heartfelt emails from one of my son Brad's very best friends:  Andy.   In this email, Andy shared Brad and his love for Brad's dearest tree:  a sycamore out in front of Brad's house.  Many times Andy and Brad would sit out on Brad's front porch sharing lunch as they talked about that beloved sycamore.  Now, in honor of Brad, Andy has planted another sycamore tree on his own mother's property.  I have to think that if Brad is watching from Heaven, how pleased he would be to see this tree that Andy has planted in his honor!  Thank you Andy from both myself, as Brad's mom, and from his father, brothers, and sister.

While it's so hard, each and every day, my son, not to see your name come across the screen of my phone and to hear your voice that always made me laugh so hard, I check in and re-read all the wonderful tributes to you from your friends who also loved you so much too...and somehow it makes me feel just a little bit better....because I know that we ALL will have such a joyful reunion one day soon in Heaven!  I miss you so much Brad!  Love you!  Your Mom!

Brad,

You finally got your wings bird watcher! I looked up to you more than you know. You would make me laugh the whole time we were together and always made me happier having been around you. I wish now that Anna and I would've taken you up on your offer to stay with you. She too, thinks the world of you and cannot believe you're gone. Your struggles were not fair. I'm so glad that I got to talk to you one last time at the gym buddy. See you on the other side. Much love from Anna, Rocky, and I! CACAW, Bird watcher!

Brad, 
I'm sure gonna miss our lil chats, your funny stories and smile! You always knew how to make me laugh & smile!  My heart aches for your family you will be forever missed in my heart! 
It's hard to believe
You are no longer here,
We think of you,
You feel so near,
In some small way, every single day,
Memories of you come our way.

To my beautiful, hilarious, and warm hearted son Brad:

It's so hard to read these wonderful sentiments that your friends & your brother Chad have left for you here on this site because I honestly feel that you really never knew just how many lives you impacted during your far too short life on this earth and how much we have always loved you!  I know that I'm prejudiced because I'm your Mom, but I'm both crying and laughing too  when I read these loving comments because I see how many other people also enjoyed your humor (which truly was unique!) and your infectious smile!  Son...you made my life so complete and the pain is just so piercing until I can hold you again when we meet in Heaven!  I love you so much Brad and you made me so proud to be fortunate enough to have been your Mom!!  God bless you and hold you in His loving and healing arms until I see you again soon!  Your loving Mom "Mamacita" forever!

Brad,
I can't even tell you how hard this hit me. We had such a strange and wonderful relationship. I will miss you for the rest of my life and will always remember that beautiful smile of yours. Thank you for being there for me, I only wish I could've done the same for you. Rest well my special friend.

Brad, 
You will be forever missed. My heart hurts for your family. You have a wonderful smile. I loved meeting you for the first time in 2008 and dancing with you at the Optimal Christmas Party. I know your nieces love you. The stories they can tell, the text messages they recall. I'm so grateful The Goslee family met you!  Love you.

Brad,

My hearts hurts in ways I never thought it could...I will miss you forever.  I am at a loss for words right now...you were a great little brother.  I had such hopes for what we would do together...I am going to miss hearing Taylor and Ryan calling you unky.  This week has been a lot harder for me than last week...maybe because I now have a chance to reflect.  I was always proud that you were my little brother...I just wish I could have protected you from this.

I love bro

Chad

Thank you for all the fun times Brad....miss you buddy

Brad,
I guess this is where I say good bye. I love you more than I could ever show you.  I hope you are able to get some rest now. Thank you for everything.

Brad, Some of my craziest stories in clude you. We started in the fire service together and had a blast reaching our goals. I will miss that big smile and the laughter you shared. You have helped thousands of strangers, now you can rest. Your brother firemen will take the watch.

R.I.P

Brad,
As your neighbor and your friend you will be sorely missed.  Your time was too short but you lived it well.  I'll mend the fence and look after things here.  We'll have that wild turkey chat one day.  Rest in peace and my deepest sympathy to your many friends and family.  You will be missed by all whose life you touched.

Myself and my family will always remember how warm, caring, generous and funny Brad was.  

Brad's comedy always made us cry with laughter.  Only he would know that placing a Krispy Kreme doughnut in the microwave for exactly 7 seconds made it taste as if it had just come off the baking rack!  He is also the only person I know who forgot to come to his own birthday party!  

If you accepted Brad for who he was, you had a friend for life and you knew that he would drop what he was doing to come and help you.  The love between us was unconditional and without question.  I can say without hesitation that he was part of our family.  

Myself and my family are enriched for having known Brad Fincher.  We will all miss him and will pray for him and those whose lives he has touched.  God rest his soul!

Brad, 
Not having you in our lives will be tough.  You were an extension to my family- it was like I had another older brother.  The joys, laughs and nasty jokes you always brought to the Cavolt house will be missed. You had a special bond with each one of us-even our cat! Thank you for adding humor and joy to our lives.  Our thanksgiving dinners won't be the same without you! Love you and I will pour some King Kobra out just for you ;-)

Brad- been years since I've seen you but you left quite an impression. You had me laughing every time I saw you. There was something very special about you, a mischievous twinkle in your eyes that made you so memorable. Rest in peace, I know you'll be hittin on the angels and makin everyone in Heaven laugh out loud. You'll be missed

Brad, your passing leaves an emptiness in so many hearts, those who knew and loved you and those whose lives you touched briefly.  May peace be yours.

Brad, I miss your smile, the sparkle in your eyes, and your kind heart.  You have left this world but not my heart.  Rest in peace...my friend.

My Nazi Leprechaun! Words can't even describe how much my heart is breaking! I am still in disbelief.  You will be missed tremendously!  You left an imprint on many peoples hearts.  You were a man of integrity and loyalty.  You had such an infectious smile.  I will miss that!  We had so many great memories...conversations, laughs...Another angel has received his wings. I love you dearly and will see you on the other side. Forever in our hearts!

Thanks for always being great to my kids when they would come by the station. Your apptitude for the job was something to be admired.


B
From the moment you came into my life I knew we would would be friends forever,  it was so easy for us to understand each other.  I'm sure you know how much I loved you dawgy.  You had that energy and humor everyone wanted to be around.  I'm going to miss you, your story's, and the way I felt when we hung out.  You were truly one of a kind.  
I love you

Some brothers you are given by your parents, some you find in your journey through life. For almost 20 years we shared our journey together starting as residents at SP telling stories and laughing ourselves to sleep. We studied, tested, trained, and reached our goals together at the same time and in the same place.  We pushed each other to be our best and for that I am grateful to you. Rest in peace my brother, I will miss you

Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel about the sudden and tragic loss of our fellow brother Brad. Our hearts are with the family and friends during this difficult time of sorrow. We all need to hold tight on all the great times we experienced with brad, and lean on each other for strength during this grieving period. R.I.P. Brad we love you.

Brad was a man of Honor, Integrity, Loyalty, Charm, Wisdom, "Funness" and most definitely Lovable! I miss you dearly and you will always hold a special place in my heart.

There's not much I can think of that would make anything better!  I'm a better man having known you, Fincher!

Until we meet again, brother!

Fincher, I remember all of our great times at our house in Roseville.  I am thankful for all the memories I have of you.  My heart goes out to everyone that will miss you.  To your family, I pray for strength for each of you.

Rest in Peace my friend...We will remember the fun times.You will be greatly missed by our family.

Finch:  May you rest in peace and know that I will miss you greatly.  I will always smile and laugh when I tell our stories.  The Finch-Feels combo will ride again someday...I promise.

RIP Brad. You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to those you left behind.

A mentor and a brother, both for the fire service and in life. Thank you for your help and advice. You are missed by all.

Hey buddy. You always brought a smile out, every time I saw you! 

I ran a call with Brad where he knicked his fingertip. Not much bigger or more than a lancet would do for a blood sugar test. He was so funny... running around telling everyone he was injured.  (There wasn't actually any blood to be found.) I suggested he wash it off and get a tourniquet. He said "great idea!!" and turned on some high volume, super powerful water valve on the side of his fire engine. As the intersection filled with lots of water, he had his finger in it, giving me a thumbs up with the other hand and flashing that huge smile everyone knows. Loved his sense of humor. 

Til we meet again, Brad! I'm not saying goodbye, just see ya later buddy!

OBITUARY

Brad Damon Fincher

January 18, 1974 – August 20, 2012

Mount Vernon Memorial Park & Mortuary

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