Obituary of James W. Finger

James Wesley Finger was born and raised in Newton, North Carolina to his late parents, Marie (Long) and Robert Finger on April 21, 1945. His grandmother, the late Lucille Long Woods, played a significant role in raising him. While in Newton, he was fondly known by his nickname, "Pug." He attended the segregated school for blacks, Central High School. In a military family, he later moved to Hawaii and New Mexico. He graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1964, where he excelled and was awarded in academics, track, and football. James attended North Carolina A&T State University on a full academic scholarship and graduated in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in Social Work. During his sophomore year at A&T, he became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. After graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War and completed his two-year tour of duty working stateside as a Psychiatric Technician at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington D.C. Following his discharge in 1971, James then attended graduate school on full academic scholarship at Florida State University, where he obtained a Master's of Social Work degree in 1973. James relocated to Millville, New Jersey, to be employed as a Psychotherapist at the Cumberland County Guidance Center. He was later promoted to Assistant CEO, where he remained employed with the Guidance Center for over 10 years. In 1984, James obtained a position with the NJ Department of Corrections as a Social Work Supervisor at Southern State Correctional Facility. In 1996, James was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Operations at South Woods State Prison, which was under construction at the time. He also worked in the same capacity at Bayside State Prison and Central Office Headquarters. He retired in 2008 after 25 years of state service. James was an active member of the Squires Men's Club of Millville for over twenty years, devoted to brotherhood and community service. He was a founding member of the local graduate chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Beta Iota Iota Chapter in 1989. James avidly enjoyed his passion for sports, traveling, fishing, poker, shows, restaurants, cookouts and gatherings of family and friends. James passed away suddenly on February 22, 2017 following a brief hospitalization. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Judith (Brokell) Finger; two children, Rev. Cassandra Renee White and James Michael Finger (Kisha); two step-daughters, Aimee Creamer (Hap) and Alyson Newman (Eric); eight grandchildren, Brianna White, Caleb White, Joshua Finger, Alysia Finger, Harry Creamer III, Zachary Creamer, Emma Newman and Addison Newman; and one sister-in-law, Sheila Veale. Services will be held Friday, March 3, 2017at DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home, located at 2755 South Lincoln Avenue in Vineland, New Jersey. Visitors will be received from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with a memorial service beginning at 1:00 p.m. James will be laid to rest at Cumberland County Veterans Cemetery, Bridgeton, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association. Online and mailing information may be found at https://donatenow.heart.org. Memories, thoughts and prayers may be extended to the family by visiting dlfuneral.com.