Gary Moore Finger

Gary Moore Finger was born to Charles “Tuggy” and Martha Deloris Finger on July 21, 1949 and sadly, passed away on January 22, 2021. He was born and raised in South Bend Indiana, alongside his sister, Gwen Oldfield (Barney). In his early years, Gary was known to be a little ornery. He was a boy scout, played saxophone in the band, sang in the school glee club and boys’ quartet, played football, and was an acolyte at Sunnyside Presbyterian Church.

Upon graduating from high school, Gary attended Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute Indiana, where he was the social director of Sigma Nu fraternity. He was drafted and joined the Navy, where he would eventually enjoy a long and impressive career. Gary went from submarine training to being accepted into Purdue University’s Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program. He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned as a Naval Officer.  From there, Gary was accepted into the pilot training program and flew both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Throughout his career as a Naval Pilot, Gary was stationed in Pensacola, Mayport, Norfolk, and Rota, Spain. Surviving a direct missile attack was just one of his flight experiences but there were so many more over the course of his career.

Gary and his wife, Malia Seall Finger, had been married for just shy of 49 years, when he passed. Malia’s childhood best friend was Gary’s sister, Gwen, so they had known each other for many years prior to dating and eventually marrying. Together, they welcomed two children, Jennifer Finger Allen, and Kenneth Zane Finger. Gary was an attentive and loving father for all his days, and he was so proud of his children. Of all their adventures, Gary, and Malia, along with their young children, thoroughly enjoyed the 3 years they lived in Rota, Spain. They traveled extensively in Europe and Africa and Gary eventually retired as a Lieutenant Commander, after 20 years of service. He was an active member of the VFW from there on out. After retirement, Gary flew for ComAir, a Delta Commuter Airline, for about a year, before embarking on a second career… A career in education. He received his master’s degree from University of North Florida and became a math teacher in Duval County. Throughout his career in education, Gary was an Assistant Principal and Principal at several Duval County Middle and High Schools and participated in the Big Brother Program. After 20 years, he retired from his second career but still volunteered as a tutor at the local high school for many years after that.

Retirement for Gary Finger was anything but ordinary or boring! He was a talented woodworker who created beautiful wooden bowls and pens and loved collecting different types of wood for projects. He loved sports and was a longtime Jags Season ticket holder and serious Gator Football fan. Gary enjoyed fishing, traveling, cruises with his family, trips to Islamorada and time spent with his parents and sister in Indiana. He could usually be found working in the yard, as he thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors, or hanging out on his dock while enjoying views of the Intracoastal.

Gary’s pride and joy were his grandkids, Ashton and Emma Finger and Hailey and Whitney Allen! He never missed a sporting event, game, or school function, and was the first to offer to carpool or get them where they needed to be. “Best Grandpa of all time” would be an understatement!! He became a full-time tutor for his granddaughter during the Pandemic and was often found volunteering at the other kids’ schools over the years. At family gatherings, you would find Gary out on the dock, cooking on his green egg, helping the grandkids fish off the dock or enjoy paddle boarding and kayaking, and there would always be sports playing in the background. He loved his 3 dogs and 2 cats and rarely missed taking the dogs on their twice a day walks. He was a great storyteller and was also rather good at embellishing his stories! Gary told his “dad jokes” and often “geezed” with the neighbors but, all kidding aside, he thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

Gary was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease but he did not let it slow him down. He participated in Rock Steady Boxing until the pandemic shut it down. He accomplished his longtime dream to own a boat early in 2020 that was large enough for his entire family to enjoy together.  Gary’s purchase of a 30’ Everglades resulted in a year packed with family trips to Islamorada, fishing on the Intracoastal, day trips to St Augustine, Ft George, and Matanzas Inlet. All these memories were enjoyed with his children and grandchildren and it meant the world to him. Those memories will forever be cherished by his family and they are so grateful for the time spent together.

Gary Moore Finger is Forever in Our Hearts and will be missed by those he left behind… Sister, Gwen (Barney) Oldfield; Wife, Malia Seall Finger; Sister-in-Law, Les (Denny) Orsund; Daughter, Jennifer Finger Allen; Son, Kenneth Zane Finger (April Bliss); Grandchildren, Ashton Finger, Hailey Allen, Emma Finger, Whitney Allen, (Bryce, Bailey, and Brooklyn Bliss)

Gary’s ashes will be buried at sea from a Navy ship and scattered over his favorite fishing spot, in a private ceremony. He will be greatly missed by many…  07/21/1949-01/22/2021.