Obituary of David J. Finley

David James Finley- 56 of Rome NY passed away unexpectedly on December 25, 2024. David was born at Sharon Hospital, Sharon CT on November 23, 1968 to the late Edward Finley and Mary (Tompkins) Finley. David was raised in the beautiful hamlet of Dover Plains, NY. Growing up on a mountain (The Ridge) was an everyday adventure of hunting, fishing, building forts, fixing old cars, riding bikes/ ATV.s, camping, swimming, hiking and everything the freedom of growing up on a mountain with friends and family brought. As a child and teenager, David was sweet, kind and always helping anyone in need. He loved helping both of his grandmothers, aunts and uncles. His smile was a light to others and his soft heart, a gift.

 

 David was educated in the Dover School System in Dover Plains, NY with a special focus in mechanics.

 

In 1991 he married Kymberly McNaughton and though they later divorced, they remained great friends throughout his life.

 

David later shared a long relationship with Carey Hadden, the mother of his children and before they separated, they were blessed with three children. Sons, Daniel and Ryan Finley and daughter, Cheyenne Finley all of Rome, NY.  Along with grandchildren, Carter Nicole, Paisley Elizabeth, Kaylee-Mae and Kayden James, whom he loved dearly.

 

David absolutely loved being a dad more than anything. He raised his children in both NY and WV, enjoying every moment of coaching their sports teams and leading their scouts groups. David also enjoyed family adventures, traveling, camping, hiking and putting on big displays for the holidays with his children and their mom. He also enjoyed sharing his love of working with his hands, with his children and taught them how to fix anything with an engine and to build beautiful creations with wood, a love David enjoyed with his own father growing up.

 

As an adult, David had an inventors heart and spent much of his time creating new ideas, painting beautiful crosses and scenery and helping those in need. David never cared about social status and though he endured much heartache and hardship during his lifetime, that never stopped David from being a light to others who were down and out. He cared for many people and their children over the years and was known by “Pops” to many. He is and will always be greatly loved and missed.

 

David is survived by his loving siblings, Thomas (Cassie)Finley of TX, Brandi Finley of NY, Bruce (Monique)Finley of WV and Mary (Gerry)Finley Salmon of TX. along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, Aunts, Uncles and friends.

 

David was predeceased by his parents, Edward & Mary Finley. Sister-Kitty Finley, brother- Jason Finley. Paternal grandparents Lacey Finley and Mary Metcalf Finley. Maternal grandparents Albert Tompkins and Pearl Grey Tompkins.

 

David leaves a legacy of loving people right where they are in life and he will live on through all who were touched by his humor, his kindness, his amazing smile and his gift of “lending a helpful hand” or sharing a kind word when needed most by others.

 

David is and will forever be loved and missed by his children, siblings and entire family.

 

A private viewing was held for immediate family on December 29, 2024 in Rome, NY.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring and David’s ashes will be placed with both his parents, sister and brother at the Clove Valley Cemetery in Clove Valley, NY