Thomas J. Finn

On Thursday July 28, 2022, Thomas James Finn, loving husband and father, passed away at age 87.

Tom was born in 1935 in Wilkes-Barre, Luzern County, PA to the late Martin and Kathryn (Haughney) Finn. He was married to Beverly (Olson) Finn in 1960 and eventually remarried to Karin Riccio Finn (nee Kolz) in 1985. While attending college, he joined the ROTC and eventually served in the Army Reserves.

He spent most of his career working in the billboard business. In the early 1960’s he became the youngest plant manager for United Outdoor Advertising in Glassboro, NJ. After the company was sold, he went on to start his own agency in 1977 in Wilmington, DE with his three sons–going on to meet many of Delaware’s most prominent politicians and businesspeople of the time.

In 1996, he helped found Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant with his sons and their business partners. He was instrumental in helping secure financing for the startup. Because of his initial involvement, Iron Hill was able to grow and expand into many new markets.

Tom had always wanted to be a pilot and eventually purchased a Cessna airplane that he flew for many years out of Cross Keys Airport, NJ. But golf was his real passion, and you could almost always find him on a golf course, whether it be Cavaliers Country Club or Kings Creek County Club. He was an avid storyteller and he loved to tell stories about his life, his children, his wife, his business, and the many colorful people he met throughout his career.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Martin, his brother Marty, his mother, Kathryn and his wives Beverly and Karin. He is survived by his three children, Kevin, Chris and Brian, his brother Dennis, five grandchildren and one great grandchild. A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 15^th at the Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington at 10 o’clock a.m. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Dementia Society of America https://dementiasociety.charityproud.org/donate

Thomas James Finn, age 87, of Wilmington, DE died on July 27^th, 2022.

Occupation

1977 – 1994: President & Founder, United Outdoor Advertising, Wilmington DE

1995 – 2016: Board Member, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

Memberships

Cavaliers Country Club

Rehoboth County Club

Kings Creek Country Club

Glassboro Housing Authority

Deceased

Beverly Olson Finn, wife

Karen Kolz Finn, wife

Survivors

Dennis Finn, brother, Santa Rosa, CA

Kevin Finn, son, West Chester, PA

Chris Finn, son, Wilmington, DE

Brian Finn, son, Wilmington, DE

Kyle Finn, grandson, Swansea, Massachusetts

Caroline Finn, granddaughter, West Chester, PA

Elizabeth Finn, granddaughter, West Chester, PA

Zachery Finn, grandson, Wilmington, DE

Andrew Finn, grandson, Wilmington, DE

Reagan Finn, great granddaughter, Swansea, Massachusetts