James Myers Finch Jr. ’39

Jim died May 4, 2006, at Whitney Center in Hamden, Conn.

A retired official of the New Haven Railroad, Jim was a railroad buff all his life. He recalled visiting the Princeton railroad yards on a football weekend with scores of special trains from New York and Philadelphia. This interest led him to undertake graduate work at Yale, where, in 1940, he earned a certificate in rail transportation.

After serving as a major in the Army Transportation Corps during World War II, Jim began his career in railroading with the New York Central. In 1946 he transferred to the New York, New Haven, and Hartford. There he held a number of supervisory positions, eventually becoming vice president of planning and research. Then came the years of railroad mergers, causing Jim to be employed by Penn Central, Conrail, and Amtrak. He retired in 1975.

Away from the tracks Jim loved sailing on Long Island Sound, cross-country skiing, art, music, and travel to exciting places including Turkey, Russia, and Scandinavia.

Jim is survived by his wife, Ann, four sons, and eight grandchildren. To them, we offer our sincere sympathy.