PERHAM-Peter William Finkel was born on Mother’s Day, May 12, 1929 to Martin Moses Finkel and Ester Phillips Finkel in Brooklyn, NY. He died at age 85, Monday, March 30, 2015, at Cary Medical Center after a brief illness with friends and family close by. Mr. Finkel was a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State College at Blacksburg, VA, with a degree in dairy husbandry and later went on to complete his Masters in Statistics. His PhD program at Cornell University was interrupted when he was drafted in March, 1954 and he never completed it. He worked for the USDA in Washington D.C. as a meat analyst and statistician for over 25 years until the death of his first wife, Patricia Friend Finkel. After dabbling in various jobs he discovered the career with which he came to really identify, teaching. He taught Math and Science in schools in southern Maine, at Winchester Thayer High School in Keene, NH in the mid-90’s, and later in Vermont. He also taught Math at Southern Vermont College in Bennington, VT. Peter met the love of his life, his wife, Clarisse (Claire) L. Hodgkins, through her daughter with whom he taught at Mount Anthony High School, Bennington, VT, in 2000. They were married on July 6, 2001. He substituted at Caribou High School for the next few years where he was well loved by the students with whom he came in contact. They would engage him in warm conversation every time their paths crossed. He was a veteran of the Korean War where he used his statistician skills in the war effort. He was honorably discharged June 24, 1955 with a rank of SP-3. Peter Finkel, who was the child of Russian Jewish immigrants, converted to Christianity in the early 90’s and was a member of Bessie Gray Memorial United Methodist Church in Caribou where he was once active in senior choir and the bell choir before his sight issues prevented him from continuing. He was on several committees, including three years as Church Council Chairperson. He was a Lay leader and gave the sermon on two occasions when the pastor was away. He was a 32nd degree member of the Caribou Lodge #170 of the Masons, the Caribou Lions Club until it was disbanded, and the American Legion. Peter was predeceased by his daughter, Leslie Lehmann. Besides his wife of 13 plus years, he is lovingly remembered by his son, Gregg Finkel and his wife Milly Lyon of Moore Haven, FL, his daughter, Randi Solin and her husband, Jerry Baker of Putney VT, his sister, Susan Rosenthal of Albuquerque, NM, a niece, Lisa Shively of Shawnee, KS, and nephew Steve Rosenthal of Beloit, WS, 19 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, his special cousins Allan Sacks and his wife, Sally of Stamford, CT and Joan Albert of Sleepy Hollow, NY. The family of Peter Finkel wishes to express our heartfelt thanks for everyone at Cary Medical Center from the ER staff to the doctors, nurses, CNA personnel, housekeeping, and cafeteria staff for giving our loved one and family the very best of care during our ordeal. Also, many thanks to his church family, for the love and support they have given Peter and his family. There will be a memorial service 2:00 pm Sunday, June 21st at Gray Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Dt. Thomas Bentum officiating. Anyone wishing to gift in memory of Peter should give to the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church General Fund or a favorite charity.
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