PORTLAND — Kenneth Finlayson, 90, of Portland, passed away at his home on Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, following a period of declining health.
A native of Portland, he was the son of Donald and Ruth Finlayson of Kenwood Street. He was a 1942 graduate of Deering High School and graduated from Bates College in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics.
He was a decorated veteran of HYPERLINK "http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/ww2/?personid=173742718&affiliateID=1444"World War II and the HYPERLINK "http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/korean-war/?personid=173742718&affiliateID=1444"Korean War. A combat medic in the 106th Infantry Division, he earned the HYPERLINK "http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/purple-heart/?personid=173742718&affiliateID=1444"Purple Heart and HYPERLINK "http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/bronze-star/?personid=173742718&affiliateID=1444"Bronze Star medal at the Battle of the Bulge. He participated in four campaigns in the European Theater and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Medal, Victory Medal and the Combat Medical Badge. He was recalled to service in the Korean War and served at the Percy Jones Army Medical Center in Ann Arbor Michigan. During this tour, he met Olga Meleshenko and they married in 1952.
Mr. Finlayson resided in Gorham and worked as an industrial sales representative for several corporations including Acme Steel, Johns-Manville, The Stanley Works, Reynolds Metals and Snap-On Tools. He retired in 1982 and he and his wife relocated to Portland. He was a 50-year member of Deering Lodge #183, a 32nd Degree Mason in the Valley of Portland, Kora Temple Shrine, and a member of the Legion of Honor with the Lake Region and Portland Shrine Clubs. He was a member of the American Legion, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the 106th Infantry Division Association, the HYPERLINK "http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/vfw/?personid=173742718&affiliateID=1444"Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Association of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.
He is survived by his sons, Kenneth Finlayson of Hope Mills, N.C. and Scott Finlayson of Bridgton; and two grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife, Olga and daughter, Donaruth.
No funeral services are planned. A private graveside service will be arranged for a later date. Arrangements made by Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. Online condolences may be shared at HYPERLINK "http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com/"www.hobbsfuneralhome.com