Finley J Parks

Finley James Parks, Jr, (Jim) 90, of Arlington, Virginia passed away on December 7, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Finley J. and Doris E. (Jardine) Finley.  He is survived by his life-long partner of 57 years, Philippine-born Artist, Nilo Santiago; his brother, retired US. Air Force Colonel Edward B. Parks and his wife, Sylvia; his sister Marjorie (Francis) Posk; his nephew and nieces:  Edward and Denise Parks, Jim and Michelle Parks, Dave and Cristen Parks, Debra and Brian Rice, Robert and Gail Posk, Pamela and Kenneth St. Hilaire, Terrance and Sally Posk; his grand-nephews and nieces:  Isabel and Alexis Parks, Logan, Ryan and Erin Parks, Declan, Cullen and Lochlan Parks, Shelley Rice, Krista Sciucco, Jeremy Posk, Ashley Clarkson, Andrew and Timothy St. Hilaire, Jaime Posk, Alan Coffin; great-grand nephews and nieces:  Hunter Scuicco, Logan and Zachary Posk, Taylor and Jayden St. Hilaire, Makennah, Lilly, Brileigh and Brett Clarkson; and numerous cousins and other family in Massachusetts and in Canada.  

Jim was born in Athol, Massachusetts.  He graduated Valedictorian from Athol High School in 1948.  Within months of graduation, he moved to Washington, D.C. as an intern.  He was a Seaman in the Naval Reserves for 6 years.  

He worked for Southern Railways and as a Civilian for the U.S. Navy.  He was proficient in shorthand and loved to write. While working, he took classes at night for 7 years and graduated with honors from George Washington University in 1959 with a BA in Journalism.  He landed a job as a speech writer for the Secretary of Agriculture.  He stayed with the Department of Agriculture for the rest of his civilian career.  Jim had a terrific sense of humor. He was well liked by his colleagues at USDA and he received many awards for his work there

Jim was an avid cat lover.  For over 20 years, he raised and bred Seal Point and Lilac Point Siamese cats.  He was also an antique collector and dealer.  He sold Victorian antiques and eventually specialized in antique silver pattern matching.  He participated in antique shows up and down the East Coast.

Jim had a loving heart.  Without telling others, he gave money and food to people in need, drove end-of-life AIDS patients to their favorite places and made the world a better place for the rest of us.  He will be sorely missed by his friends and family. 

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