Raymond H. Finlay Jr., 89, of  Redding , Connecticut passed away on December 25th, 2010. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. He served in the 10th Mountain Division in WW11. He was a Second Lieutenant and recipient of the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Soldier's  Medal for heroism during the war. He graduated from St. Lawrence University and went on to become Executive Vice President of Georgia-Pacific Corporation. Ray took early retirement to start his own successful business, Fin Industries which he ran well into his 70's.
He married Mary Ann Page in 1946 in Great Neck, New York.  They lived in Kansas City, Missouri; Northbrook, Illinois and New Canaan, Connecticut.  Ann predeceased him in 1991. He was an avid sailor growing up in Port Washington, New York and raced his Star class boat competitively. His love of the outdoors and fishing led him to Nantucket, Mass. where he was responsible on many a cold autumn day for instilling the love of the sport and respect for nature to his children and grandchildren. He was active in the Meadow Ridge community for the last seven years.
Ray is survived by his daughter Leslie Sullivan and husband Patrick of Northboro, Mass., son  Christopher  and wife Kathleen of Greenwich, Ct., son Douglas and wife Joan of Fairfield, Ct., son Mark and wife Jeannie of Fairfield, Ct., son Bruce and fiancé Char of Northbrook, Ill.  and predeceased by his son Raymond  of Northbrook, Ill. He is also survived by his sister Virginia Dillon of Bernardsville, NJ. , brother Sam of Gaithersburg, Md. and predeceased by his brother Robert of Hilton Head, NC. He leaves 16 grandchildren. His many friends and family will miss him for his smile, energy and optimism.
A family celebration of his life will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Alzheimer's Association, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, Ct. 06067 in memory of Ray Finlay.