David Harold Finch

David Harold Finch, 77, of Apex, NC passed away Tuesday, July 30th. He is survived by his mother, Eva Dean Todd Finch who lived with him and his wife of 29 years, Peggy McNulty Finch. He is survived by two sisters, Rosemary Mims of Newport, NC, and Patricia Platania of Raleigh as well as her sons, Matthew and Jason. He leaves behind, his four children- Robert Todd Finch and wife, Jennifer, of Marietta, GA; Mary Hunter Finch Koster and husband, Will, of Wilson, NC; Caroline Finch Kimball, and husband Brandon, of Greenville, SC, and Virginia Ruth Finch Gero and husband, Chris, of Nashville, TN. He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren including Chase and McColl Finch; Della Ruth, Jackson and Evie Koster; Zoey and Hurst Kimball; Jack, Mila, Finn and Charlotte Gero. He was preceded in death by his father Harold Gilbert Finch of Harkers Island, NC. 

David was born in Raleigh, NC to Eva Dean Todd Finch and Harold Gilbert Finch. He graduated from William G Enloe High School in Raleigh in 1966. He was fondly remembered by many, being given the prominent title “Mr Enloe”. In later years, the “Raleigh Times”, highlighted David’s passion and dedication to hard work and helping others stating, “In 1966- Enloe had its own version of the All-American kid”. David was Enloe’s Senior Class President and the founding President of the Raleigh Youth Council. He attended Atlantic Christian College (ACC) in Wilson, NC, majoring in business and stayed involved in student government as the freshman student Class President. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and in 1970, he was President of the IFC. He left in 1970 to work with his fathers electrical contracting business in Raleigh. David married Susan Pope, of Wilson in 1972 and lived in Raleigh for many years with their four children. He maintained lifelong friendships from Enloe and ACC. His friends always called him “The Good Guy Extraordinaire”. He was always known and loved for lending a hand to any friend and neighbor. David was a creative story teller, enjoyed fishing, spending time with his family in Harkers Island, NC, and he learned to pilot small planes. Over the years, David started several electrical engineering and contracting businesses - Finelco, Lighting Energy Saving Systems (LESS) Associates, and Optilight, Inc. 

He moved to NJ in the early 1990’s, establishing permanent roots and re-married in 1995. David held several patents for his lighting fixtures he experimented with in his backyard and he served on the Green Lights Committee of the EPA. Through his work there, Public Service Electric and Gas Co, a NJ Utility, approached David to establish a joint venture with his company LESS Associates. They worked together to install high efficiency lighting systems for hundreds of large warehouses, mostly in the Northeast. He and his wife Peggy bought a small horse farm and were known for entertaining friends often with many outdoor sports. David also was a BMW enthusiast and a student driving instructor. He and his wife spent many years racing together. He also served as the President of the NJ BMW Club Chapter. 

To be closer to his family in the South, he and his wife moved to Apex, NC in 2020. He was diagnosed with cancer shortly thereafter. His strength, fight, and treatments at Duke Hospital allowed him additional time with family and grandchildren, which he treasured until the cancer returned this past year. David will always be remembered for his thoughtfulness as he would help anyone in need. He was fun and loved his friends and family deeply. He experienced many places and people in his life. He always kept life interesting. We will all miss his love, friendship, stories and quiet one liners.

 A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Sunday, August 18th at 2pm with visitation starting at 12:30 at Joyner's Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson.

A celebration of Life will be held Sunday, September 1st at 4pm at the Rock-N-Roll Farm 170 Asbury-Bloomsbury Road, Asbury, NJ 08802.

 Memorials in his honor may be made to Duke Cancer Institute, www.dukecancerinstitute.org or to English Springer Rescue America, www.springerrescue.org.

 Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.