Lewis J. Finch, 86, builder, longtime civic leader

Lewis J. “Bub” Finch of Cannonfield, 520 Main Street, a Ridgefield native who became a major real estate developer and a civic and business leader here, died on Sunday evening, Jan. 26, 2003, at Laurel Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 86 years old and the husband of Adelaide “Pat” Newman Finch.
Over his career, Mr. Finch developed some 800 acres in Ridgefield, including such large neighborhoods as Chestnut Hills and Rolling Ridge. He was also active in the civic and religious life of the community, leading such organizations as the library, the boys club, and the Lions.
“As successful as he has been in the business field, Bub has been equally generous in terms of his time, money and talent to make sure Ridgefield became a better place to live,” Ridgefield Old Timers President Tom Belote said in 2001 when that organization gave Mr. Finch its Civic Award.
A Ridgefield native, Mr. Finch was born on July 17, 1916, a son of Harold E. and Alice Harding Finch, both prominent members of the community. His father, a longtime head of the Republican Party here, had been a village businessman, operating United Cigar Store (later “Squash’s” and today Ridgefield Office Supply). His mother established the Green Doors Motel and the Circle Luncheonette, both of which had operated on Route 7 for many years. “Bub” built both the buildings.
Mr. Finch attended Ridgefield schools and graduated in 1935 from Ridgefield High School where he was on the varsity basketball team and was a member of a class of 27 girls and 13 boys. He went on to graduate from the School of Economists in New York City, returning to Ridgefield and his father’s store with ideas learned in business school.
“We’d sell two packs of cigarettes for a quarter,” he described the store in a 1992 interview. “Ice cream cones were five cents for a single scoop, ten cents for a double. You paid four cents for a daily paper. The Sunday paper cost 12. It was a nickel and dime business, but we only paid $50 a month rent!”
When World War II broke out, Mr. Finch got a job in defense work at the asbestos brake plant in Stratford, long before the carcinogenic effects of asbestos were known. So much asbestos was swirling in the air that “sometimes I could hardly see the man working 10 feet away from me,” Mr. Finch recalled.
After the war Mr. Finch became active in the building business, and remained a builder and developer until his retirement in 1975. His developments included Hunter Heights, Colonial Heights, Rolling Hills, Chestnut Hills, and many smaller subdivisions here and in New York state. Finch Lane at Chestnut Hills recalls not the bird, but his family.
While subdividing land, Mr. Finch once calculated, he donated some 200 acres to the town’s open space bank.
Mr. Finch had built and owned several commercial developments, such as the shopping center at 590 Danbury Road, and others on Route 7 and on Grove Street.
He also sold real estate, establishing Lewis J. Finch Real Estate in 1956. The business operated on Main Street for many years.
In 1974, Mr. Finch was a founder and incorporator of Village Bank and Trust Company, which was acquired a few years ago by Webster Bank. He had been chairman of the bank’s board for many years until his retirement at age 70.
Mr. Finch was involved in many community organizations, but among his favorites was the Ridgefield Boys Club, now the Boys and Girls Club. He was a major contributor to the purchase of the five acres where the club now stands, and bought the two paddle tennis courts for the club. He was on the club’s board for many years and had served as its chairman.
Mr. Finch was also a member of the board and a trustee of the Ridgefield Library, and had served as library president from 1985 to 1987.
Like his father, he was a member and a former chairman of the Republican Town Committee.
A longtime member of the Lions Club, he’d held every club office — including president — and had also been a Lions district governor for five years. In 1989, the Lions awarded him their highest commendation, the Melvin Jones Award, for his service.
He served on the town’s first Charter Revision Commission in 1963, and had also been an adviser to town and school building committees.
Mr. Finch was a member of St. Mary’s Church where he served as a past trustee and member of the Finance Committee.
Besides his wife of 63 years, Mr. Finch is survived by a son, Barry N. Finch and his wife Louise of Ridgefield; a daughter, Patti-Lou Schmidt and her husband John of Ridgefield; a sister, Cookie Casagrande and her husband Peter of Summerfield, Fla.; six grandchildren, Heather Finch, Sean Finch, Seth Cashman, Ben Cashman, J. Michael Schmidt and David Schmidt; three great-grandchildren, twins Rogers and Patrick Finch and Taylor Schmidt; and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated today, Thursday, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church.
There are no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Danbury Hospital Development Fund, 24 Hospital Avenue, Danbury 06810, St. Mary’s Church Building Fund, 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield or to the Ridgefield Library, 472 Main Street, Ridgefield 06877.
The Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.