Obituary for Gerald Wayne Finley
Gerald Wayne Finley, 81, of Dover, NH, died on March 28, 2023, following a brief illness. Jerry was born on January 26, 1942, in Wiley, CO, to Lawrence Merle and Mabel Fern (Schriner) Finley. Jerry was predeceased by his son, Geoffrey, and is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kathryn (Tinka) Darling of Acton, MA, and his son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Jennifer, and grandchildren, Owen, Annaliese, and Keaton of Seattle, WA.
Following study at the University of Denver, Jerry had a long career as an actor and director: he performed in a USO tour in Europe in 1968; at the Old Brewery Theatre in Helena, MT; Players’ Theatre of Manchester, NH; Theatre-by-the-Sea of Portsmouth, NH; Barn Dinner Theater with tours in North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama; Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick, ME; Dover Repertory Theatre in Dover, NH; as a guest actor at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH; and in many productions as a member of Garrison Players of Dover, NH.
In addition to his work in the theater, Jerry was also a master florist and gardener. He worked for many years at Ye Olde English Flower Shoppe & Greenhouse in Newmarket, NH.
Jerry was a dedicated, long-time member of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church where he sang in the choir for over 40 years.
Jerry was beloved by many and will be dearly missed. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 11am, at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 5 Hale St, Dover, NH.
Following study at the University of Denver, Jerry had a long career as an actor and director: he performed in a USO tour in Europe in 1968; at the Old Brewery Theatre in Helena, MT; Players’ Theatre of Manchester, NH; Theatre-by-the-Sea of Portsmouth, NH; Barn Dinner Theater with tours in North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama; Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick, ME; Dover Repertory Theatre in Dover, NH; as a guest actor at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH; and in many productions as a member of Garrison Players of Dover, NH.
In addition to his work in the theater, Jerry was also a master florist and gardener. He worked for many years at Ye Olde English Flower Shoppe & Greenhouse in Newmarket, NH.
Jerry was a dedicated, long-time member of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church where he sang in the choir for over 40 years.
Jerry was beloved by many and will be dearly missed. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 11am, at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 5 Hale St, Dover, NH.