Charles E. Finch, 79, of Lyons, a longtime Boy Scout volunteer and recipient of the Man of Year Award, died of heart failure Monday, May 6, in Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood .
“He was just the nicest man in the world, a real sweetheart,” said his daughter, Mary Lu Karacson. “He was someone who would do anything for anyone, gladly and with a smile, and that’s why people really gravitated to him.”
Mr. Finch had been active in clubs and organizations in Lyons since the early 1960s. His volunteering began with the Boy Scouts, when he attended a parent meeting aimed at finding a new troop leader for his son’s troop.
“He attended that meeting because he supported my brother’s involvement with the scouts, but wasn’t exactly prepared to take on a leadership role,” Karacson said. “None of the other parents were volunteering that night, so when my dad raised his hand to ask where the bathroom was, they made him the new troop leader.”
During his more than 20 years with the Boy Scouts, Mr. Finch held other positions and received the Silver Beaver Award. He also was a moderator for dozens of campouts, badge outings and field trips.
“He loved scouting and was always looking out for his kids,” Karacson said. “After one three-day campout, one little boy stayed at our house overnight because no one was at his home to pick him up.”
Mr. Finch also held many offices with the Lions Club and was honored with the Lion of the Year award in the early 1980s. That involvement led to volunteer work with the Cicero Braille Club.
In 1985 Mr. Finch was named Lyons’ Man of the Yearfor his contributions to the community.
A Lyons resident since 1945, Mr. Finch grew up in Western Springs and graduated from Lyons Township High School. He was employed as a testing engineer in the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in McCook for 43 years and retired in 1986.
An avid photographer, Mr. Finch enjoyed taking pictures of his family. He also took pictures for clubs and organizations.
Other survivors include his wife, Harriet; a son, Louis; two brothers, Frederick and Thomas; a sister, Frances Edmond; and a granddaughter.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday in Tower Home for Funerals, 4007 S. Joliet Ave, Lyons. Services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday in the funeral home.
