Carleton K. Finch

FITCHBURG - Carleton K. Finch, 100, of Fitchburg passed away August 20, 2023, at Leominster Hospital.

Carleton, known to many as Zeke, was born in Northfield, MA on April 10, 1923, the oldest child of Cortland and Sarah Finch. He was raised in Northfield and graduated from Mount Hermon in 1941 and from Bates College in the class of 1945. His actual graduation, though, was delayed by his service in the United States Navy during WWII after he went through Officer Training with the V-12 unit stationed at Bates.

He married his college sweetheart Arline Sinclair in 1944, and they raised their family in Fitchburg, MA. He owned and operated a tire business for 13 years and then became a math teacher and eventually the Coordinator of Administrative Computing in the Leominster School System, where he worked from 1964-1991. In the summers he was active in camping, serving as director of Camp Wellville in Ashburnham, MA and later for 12 years as director of Camps Andover and Waldron in Meredith, NH.

Always involved in community service, Carleton was active in scouting for 33 years, organizing Troop 41 in Fitchburg and serving as its first Scout Master. He was also deeply involved in his churches, Rollstone Congregational and Faith United Parish, and was one of the founding members of Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts, where he volunteered from 1986 until his death. He has received recognition for his community service from the Northfield-Mount Hermon Schools, Bates College, Habitat for Humanity, and the Myra Kraft Foundation.

An avid gardener and skilled furniture builder, Carleton filled the tables of his family with vegetables and their yards with flowers, and their homes are graced by tables, hutches, desks, bookcases, and cabinets, all fashioned by his loving hands.

Carleton was predeceased by his wife of 71 years, Arline Finch, his grandson Michael Finch, and his sister Arlene Reynolds. 

He is survived by his children: William Finch (Margaret) of Rindge, NH; Joanne Tulonen of Springfield, NH; Deborah Finch of Westminster, MA; David Finch (Carolyn) of Humarock, MA; Patricia Kelly (Edward) of Rindge, NH; William Judge (Tom Scano) of Delray Beach, FL; Thomas Judge of Cohasset, MA; and the children of his heart, Ewa Friman of Sweden and Diane Normandin of Fitchburg, MA. He is survived also by eleven grandchildren: Gregory Tulonen (Kate), Timothy Finch, Emily Polk (Terence) Jillian Lane (Michael), Amy Novelli (Anthony), Andrew, Kathryn, and Thomas Kelly (Ashley), Frank Abadie (Melissa), Rachel Judge (Charlie Paine) and Tyler Judge (Kelsea); and nine great-grandchildren: Connor and Riley Tulonen.  Isabel and Alexandrea Polk, Michael David Lane, Kiera Santos, Mila Paine, Harlow Abadie, and Thomas Judge.

Also, surviving Carleton are his brother Edwin Finch, his sister Ellen Flewelling, and many nieces and nephews.

 A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, October 7 at Rollstone Congregational Church, 199 Main St, Fitchburg. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in Carleton’s name to the Carleton Finch Land Fund of Habitat for Humanity NCM, 201 Great Road, Suite 301, Acton, MA. 01720.

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