Marvin Lee Finkelston, 91, died peacefully on Dec. 20 at Menorah Medical Center.
Marvin was a gentle soul, a fabulous father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather who always put his family’s needs first and could be counted upon for support no matter what the situation. He grew up in Kansas City and was the only child of Mary (Vile) and Harry. He married Janice (Himmelstein) in 1952, and they were devoted to each other for 69 years until her death in 2021.
In addition to all matters related to his family, Marvin enjoyed golfing and was even recognized once for a hole-in-one. He and Janice were active travelers and visited every continent except Antarctica. As his mobility declined, he became an avid bridge player, playing in three different groups at Village Shalom.
Because he was an only child, he was exempted from being drafted during the Korean conflict, but his patriotism led him to enlist in the U.S. Navy Reserve, where he served as a hospital corpsman for more than 20 years before retiring.
Marvin had a decades-long career in the printing industry working for Vile-Goller/Fine Arts Lithography for most of his career. He is a graduate of Paseo High School and earned an associate’s degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. As a teen, he was active in Nordaunian AZA and later enjoyed breakfast get-togethers with alumni of this group. He also actively participated in the ROMEOs social group for many years. Marvin’s adult leadership role in Boy Scout Troop 61 led to his being awarded an Honorary Warrior membership in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.
In addition to his wife, Janice, Marvin was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Lori (Scott Raskin), and is survived by his son, Mark (Kathy), and daughter, Carol Koger (Jeff Lerner). He was so proud of his many grandchildren, Adam Finkelston (Summer), Lindsey Finkelston, Matthew (Tiffany), Kyle (Chelsea), Alex and Chase Koger, Will and Carly Raskin, Ian Kirby (Nicole) and Kelly Kirby. His great-grandchildren, Ira and Marigold Finkelston and Ryder and Reed Kirby, will miss him very much.
The family would like to suggest contributions to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care.