West Seattle, Washington
14 Saturday
The family of Al Finch is sharing this remembrance with the community:
Alfred (Al) Walter Finch
1933-2019Alfred Walter Finch, affectionately known as “Al,” was surrounded by his loving family as he passed peacefully on June 11, 2019.
The first born of three children to Alfred and Ann Finch of Seattle, Al began entrepreneurship at a young age: clerking with his mother in their West Seattle market, managing a paper route, and buying and selling refurbished automobiles.
Al graduated from West Seattle High School and continued his education at the University of Washington, where he earned a BS in mechanical engineering. In addition to his studies, Al rowed Husky crew and joined the United States Air Force ROTC. Following graduation, Al proudly served in the Air Force while stationed in Oklahoma, Texas, and Ohio, serving as a Second Lieutenant piloting the KC 97 for the Strategic Air Command and retiring as a Captain.
Al was a devoted husband and happily married to Elisabeth for 60 years. As residents of Mercer Island from 1969 until present, they worked and raised their two children, Libby and Stephanie. Al, a Seattle businessman and real estate investor, owned and managed Emerald City Door for 17 years. Al continued his passion for flying: as a member of NW Seaplane Pilots Association, actively flying in the Pacific NW and Canada, and commuting between Seattle and their second home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Al’s happiest times were spent with Elisabeth and friends: traveling, fishing, skiing, boating, playing bridge, and golfing as members of the Overlake Golf and Country Club in Medina, Washington and the Boulders Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
He is survived by his beloved wife Elisabeth, his loving daughters, Libby (Steve) Miller and Stephanie St Mary, sisters Diane (Jim) Creighton and Geraldine Finch, and grandchildren Maggie, Charlie, Will, and Lizzie. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to StolenYouth www.stolenyouth.org.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
The primary election is getting closer, and your ballot will be mailed in two and a half weeks. In case you haven’t yet made up your mind in the top-of-the-ticket race, City Council District 1, we are presenting video interviews with each of the three candidates over the next three days. We start with incumbent Councilmember Lisa Herbold. The forums and Q&A’s we’ve covered so far have all focused on the same handful of issues, so we sought to hit some other topics:
If you can’t or don’t want to watch/listen, text toplines are below – but note that they do not represent a full transcript, nor are they direct quotes except where signified by quotation marks, just (in some cases very) brief summaries:
Most of the Seattle Housing Authority‘s budget comes from government funding, which means it’s your money, so even if you don’t live at an SHA property or have any other direct relationship with the agency, they’re looking for your opinion on how it should be spent. SHA asked us to let you know about its 2020 Budget Survey, open to all. Its questions are wide-ranging, including this one:
Please tell us where you think SHA should focus investments in creating more affordable housing. You may select more than one option.
-Focus on affordable housing for very-low-income households below 50% Area Median Income.
(Examples: 1 person household earning less than $38,750; 2 person household earning less than $44,300; 4 person household earning less than $55,350.)-Focus on affordable workforce housing for low-income households between 60% and 80% Area Median Income.
(Examples: 1 person household earning between $46,500 and $62,000; 2 person household earning between $53,160 and $70,880; 4 person household earning between $66,420 and $88,560.)-Donate funds to non-profits to provide more affordable housing with intensive services for homeless households.
The survey is linked here, in English as well as in Amharic, Chinese (traditional/Cantonese), Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese. SHA is sending it to all of its residents and voucher holders but stresses “the general public’s input is welcome too.” It’s open for two more weeks (through July 15th).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
As we often say, thanks for the tip!
A reader asked us what’s happening with 2701 California SW, after seeing what looked like kegs. Our research led us to a brewery-and-more plan in city files, and we subsequently connected with Nick Berger, a West Seattleite who, along with partner Phil Cammarano, plans to open The Good Society Brewery and Public House later this year.
They are both longtime West Seattleites. Before we get to the basics of what they’re going to do and when, Nick explained the mission (which in turn explains the name): “We want to marry good beer with good deeds.”
Elaborating, he continues: “We are a local neighborhood brewery that strives to put community at the center of its identity by incorporating the funding of local causes, both social and environmental, into its basic operating model by serving trend-setting beer and fostering an environment where all the community is welcome.”
(WSB photo, West Seattle Golf Course as seen from SW Genesee)
This year, the 4th of July has an added attraction in West Seattle – a golf championship! Here’s the announcement we received:
The 85th Seattle Amateur Championship, one of the Northwest’s top amateur tournaments, will be played July 2-4 at Seattle’s three municipal golf courses. More than 80 players, representing clubs from across the state and 18 colleges and universities will contend in the unique three-day three-course event hosted by Seattle Parks and Premier Golf.
The first round will begin at Jackson Park on July 2nd, followed by a second round July 3rd at Jefferson Park. (For first and second round tee times and more tournament information see the Seattle Amateur website).
After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 54 players and ties who will advance to the final day of play on July 4th at West Seattle Golf Course. Pairings will be regrouped for the final day. Tee times will begin between 7:30 am and 9:00 am. Spectators are encouraged to attend.
The Seattle Amateur Championship is open to all golfers, male and female, with a USGA handicap index of 4.9 or less. Seven past Seattle Amateur champions are competing this year including former Mariners pitcher Erik Hanson, former University of Washington golfer Erik Olson, and longtime West Seattle Golf Club member Larry Daniels. The tournament prize fund of $6,030 will be awarded to the top 30 players.
The main entrance to the golf course is on the south side of the parking lot shared with West Seattle Stadium, off the east side of 35th SW just south of Avalon Way.
(Pileated Woodpecker, photographed in Fauntleroy Park by Mark Wangerin)
Happy July! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUND STEPS WALK: Join the weekly walk in Lincoln Park. Meet at 10 am at the center of the north parking lot. More info in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
LOW-LOW TIDE: 10:32 am, -2.2 feet, and it’ll be even lower as the week goes on.
HAM JAM: 6 pm on first Mondays at the Senior Center/Sisson Building:
New Hams, learn how to participate in the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club Monday night radio nets. Bring your handheld transceiver.
Future Hams, bring your questions and learn about the club, the hobby, how to get licensed, and ways to serve your community.
More here. (4217 SW Oregon)
MUSIC UNDER THE STARS: New location for this summer’s four-concert series presented by the Seattle Chamber Music Society – 7:30 pm at the Seattle Chinese Garden on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus – first a live mini-recital, then the speakers switch to the live broadcast of tonight’s Summer Festival concert from Benaroya Hall. Free. (6000 16th SW)
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: $2/player, 8 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning! First day of July, first week that school’s out for everyone.
The cloud formation over the Olympics made June’s final sunset one to remember. Thanks for the photos! Above, from Terry; below, from Kanit:
And from Marc:
| Comments Off on Remembering Al Finch, 1933-2019