Walter ‘Wally’ Finch, loved family first

Walter Lee Finch, 72, of Silver Spring, Md., Rehoboth Beach, and Charleston, S.C., passed away quietly after a brief illness, surrounded by his family, Friday, March 1, 2019. "Wally" was born in Livorno, Italy, and lived in Europe, attending American schools until the age of 13 when his family relocated to Mount Vernon, N.Y. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1969, he returned to the U.S., and graduated from the University of Maryland in 1972, later receiving his MPA from American University. He began his career with Burroughs Corp., and retired in 2007 as an associate director of the National Technical Information Service in the Department of Commerce.

Wally was a devoted husband of 47 years to Terri Finch; a loving father to Melissa Smrchek (Darrin) and Jessica Slater; adoring grandfather of Abby and Charlie Slater; loving brother of Candy Moriconi (Lucio) and James Finch, and brother-in-law to Marcia Burke (Michael). He loved family first, followed by traveling, cooking, watching the Nats and Redskins games, and reading the Washington Post on his iPad. He will be missed and treasured by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Wally's name to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, either online at: cholangiocarcinoma.org, or addressed to: 5526 West 13400 South, #510, Herriman, UT 84096. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 8, at St. Patrick's Church, 4101 Norbeck Road, Rockville, Md. Inurnment will immediately follow the service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md. Arrangements by Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, Md.