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Curtis Finney
Curtis Finney of Sag Harbor died on October 29 at St. Joseph’s Hospital after a valiant two year battle with post stroke complications. He was 86.
Finney was born in Sag Harbor to Fannie Mae Darden Finney and John Lawrence Dewey Finney.
After spending two years in the U.S. Army as a member of the 19th Army Band, Finney’s career of choice was music education, conducting, and musical performance.
He received his BS and MS degrees at the State University of New York at Potsdam and did post graduate work at Columbia, Rutgers, Princeton, and the University of Oregon.
Through the years he has been employed by the Geneseo, Mechanicville, and West Genesee school districts in New York State as director of vocal music.
He served 21 years as minister of music at University Methodist Church in Syracuse. In addition to teaching and conducting, Finney performed locally as a professional musician on clarinet, oboe, saxophone, and piano. Finney concluded his career as assistant professor of music education at Potsdam’s Crane School of Music.
In retirement, he lectured throughout the state for the New York State Council of the Humanities and National Endowment for the Arts.
In addition to his parents, Finney was predeceased by his sisters, Helen Gilliam and Ursula Stephens; and his brother, Lawrence M. Finney. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Nancy (Ryan); daughter, Dorothy Munoz of New Jersey; sister-in-law, Anita Hughes of Tennessee; three grand daughters, Rachel, Christina, and Jessica; numerous nieces and nephews.
At the families’ request, there were no formal viewing or services.
Friends are welcome to share memories and condolences on newcomersyracuse.com.
Staff Writer on Feb 10, 2022