Edina, MN - Jeffrey Maurice Finley passed away unexpectedly on April 19 while battling an infection. He was born and raised in Edina, and graduated from Edina West high school. He started his sales career in housewares, and was known for his greatT-Fal cooking demonstrations. He later joined Gibbco, selling consumer electronics and working with great friends he kept throughout his life. Jeff was also a successful entrepreneur with Acme Sales and Marketing. His last position was at LeGrand where he was Senior Director of Sales, working with Best Buy and Costco, among others.

Jeff loved being in sales and working with customers, whether the customer was a 3 person hardware store, or a huge retailer. He fought fiercely for his customers and believed in relationships above everything else.

Jeff and his honey bunny Judy married in 1985. When they bought their Edina house in 1991, the single car garage in the backyard emerged as The Clubhouse, complete with refrigerator, TV and cocktail tables. Many, many parties were held in the Clubhouse, and the police were only called once. Christmas parties were also a Finley specialty, with Judy's tree and ornaments, and Jeff's open bar.

After retirement, Jeff volunteered at Abbott Northwestern in gratitude for his successful heart surgery. He enjoyed wheeling people around the campus, getting in his 15,000 steps. Jeff was a connoisseur of Dad jokes to tell at the hospital and Judy got to preview them before each volunteer stint.

Jeff was a man of his routines, especially after retirement. His golf group always knew the exact weekly tee time, and exactly how long they would stay for beer afterwards. Dinner reservations on Saturday were always at 6:15.

While Jeff could occasionally be a wee bit stubborn and opinionated, he was the first to help any friend or relative in need. And he wrapped his honey bunny Judy in a warm blanket of love, so she always felt safe and secure while Jeff dealt with everything else.

Jeff will be sorely missed by his wife Judy, brothers John Finley (Ceci), Jim Finley (Cindy), 12 nieces and nephews and their families, legions of friends, former coworkers and fellow volunteers. And Herbie and Betty will miss having "night night" cookies with Daddy.

A Celebration of Jeff will be held at on May 4 from noon-3:00 pm at Edina Country Club (Chester's), 5100 Wooddale Avenue, Edina, MN 55424.