James Patrick Finn

LOUISVILLE - Devoted family member and friend, adventurous and competitive spirit, caring and compassionate teacher, James Patrick Finn, age 57 of Louisville, Colorado died in Boulder, Colorado in a tragic cycling accident on August 12, 2023. He was preceded in death by his father, James Joseph Finn, and his mother, Beatrice Margaret Corcoran Finn, and is survived by his sister, Mary Van Wart, neé Finn, and brother-in-law David Van Wart, his nephew Dillon Van Wart and niece Delia Van Wart, and former wife and lifelong friend, Candice Finn.

Born in Teaneck, NJ, he graduated from Ramsey High School and joined the US Army where he proudly served with the 82nd Airborne Division. He earned a bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University and a master’s degree from Adams State University, and continued to pursue further post-graduate studies.

In 2005, James married Candice Waldron, and they moved to Colorado in 2006. His career as an educator began as a PE teacher at Twin Peaks Charter Academy in Longmont CO, and concluded as a Learning Specialist for Oberon Middle School in Arvada, CO.

Everyone who knew James knew how passionate and active he was as a lifelong cyclist, full-contact martial arts competitor, marathon runner, avid backcountry snowboarder, alpine ice and rock climbing enthusiast, as well as an EMT and Wilderness First Responder.

James will be remembered for his gentle and generous spirit, devotion to human justice, self-discipline and loyalty to others, and love for exploring the outdoors. Along with an unrelenting intellectual thirst, James had a fervor for music as a drum and guitar player. He planned to retire and relocate to France which fueled his recent studies of the French language.

A celebration of life for James will be held on Saturday, August 26th, from 3-6 pm at The Tune Up Tavern at Full Cycle, 2355 30th Street, Boulder, CO.