Richard Alan Finotti

Richard "Rick" Alan Finotti, 71
There are some people you come across in your life who leave a lasting impression that you never truly forget. Rick was one of those people. He was quick with a joke, full of useful and not-so-useful knowledge and could fix just about anything. To his family and friends, he was everything. Not a day went by that he wasn't a part of someone's story, whether good, bad, ugly, or downright funny. Rick left a lasting memory for all who met, knew, and loved him. His departure from this earthly world will be felt for years, but the impression made while he was here will last an eternity.
Rick was born February 17, 1954, to the late Joseph and Vivian (McKinney) Finotti at Butler Hospital in Butler, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Union High School in Rimersburg in 1972 and, in recent years, attended his 50th class reunion. In 1974, he married the former Cheryl Watson, who survives, and over the next 51 years, the couple welcomed three children, Jason, Jayme, and Justin, and led a blessed and fulfilling life full of family and love. The couple suffered an incredible loss when their eldest son, Jason, passed away in 1990. Jason met his dad at Heaven's gates and greeted him with the greatest hug he had ever known.
Growing up, Rick was a jack of many trades. He worked in road construction for Bracken Construction and for C&K Coal Company. After C&K Coal Company, he went to work as a blaster for Ireco Chemicals in Corsica. Upon the closing of Ireco, Rick went to work at Commodore Homes in Shippenville. It was there that he worked for more than 20 years as a carpet layer and maintenance worker. In 2000, Rick left Commodore Homes and moved to Eustis, Florida, with his wife Cheryl.
While in Florida, Rick worked for the City of Eustis Public Works for 22 years, retiring in 2019. During those years in Florida, the couple made close friends who became family and were truly blessed to spend time with their youngest son, Justin Finotti, of Umatilla, FL, and watch their three youngest granddaughters, Reese, Callie, and Ellah Finotti grow. Due to declining health, Rick and Cheryl made the difficult decision to move back to Clarion to be closer to family that could help care for Rick.
Finding a house steps away from the home where they raised their three children, the couple moved in near their daughter Jayme (Finotti) Dehner and her husband, Michael. The couple enjoyed the quiet countryside near Cook Forest while enjoying time with their daughter and her husband and his adult grandchildren, Morgan (Dehner) Shilling and husband Gavin, and Login Dehner and his new wife Tiffany (Lamb), whom Rick had the pleasure of seeing get married June 21st. Rick's greatest joy later in life was seeing his great-grandchildren, Bentley, 4 and Ava Shilling, 3. Their infectious laughter and silly antics always kept "Poppy" entertained, and he never missed an opportunity to share a snack or catch a catnap with them.
Living nearby was Rick's brother, Dennis Finotti, and wife, Melanie, and sister Kimberly Glenn and husband Todd. Rick is also survived by his brother-in-law, Dana Watson, Wichita Falls, TX. He has one nephew, Ryan Finotti (Katie Blackard), Charlotte, NC, and three nieces, Krista (Finotti) Lengacher and husband Ben of Charlotte, NC, Meghan (Glenn) Schmader and husband Josh of Clarion, and Brianna (Glenn) Kelly and husband Ray of Ridgway. Great nephews and nieces, Cruz, Quinn, Hallie, Luca, Aubrey, Leigha, Kennedy, and Olivia. He has surviving cousins and close family friends.
In addition to his parents and son Jason, Rick was preceded in death by his in-laws, Irene and Norman "Jack" Watson Jr, his grandparents, several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family asks that instead of flowers, please make donations to Clarion Kindness Project, 13681 Route 208, Marble, PA 16334, or the Clarion Forest VNA at cfvna.org/donate in Rick's name. As longtime Clarion residents, the family asks that you spread love, kindness, and support each other and our community as we support each other in this time of sorrow.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 10:00 AM till time of services at 11:00 AM from the Goble Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment will be held at a later date in the Helen Furnace Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home & Crematory, 330 Wood St, Clarion. Friends and family may send online condolences, order flowers and memorials, and obtain additional information by visiting www.goblefh.net.