Kier M. Finlayson

Kier Finlayson, 86, retired physicist and editor

Kier M. Finlayson, 86, of 433 South Kinzer Ave., New Holland (formerly of 2114 Lyndell Dr., Lancaster) died on Tuesday, January 27. He was the husband of MaryLou Keener, originally from Berea, KY. They were married during a short stay in Lancaster, PA on August 9, 1952, and would have observed their 63rd wedding anniversary this August.

Kier was the son of the Kenneth W. Finlayson and Nora A. Munroe (both of Prince Edward Island, Canada). He grew up in Easton, MA and graduated with a BA in Physics from MIT in 1950. Kier completed graduate studies towards a MA in physics at the University of Missouri (Columbia). Mr. Finlayson’s career as an analytical physicist started at the RCA Receiving Tube Plant (Harrison, NJ); and continued at Corning Glass Research (Corning, NY) and Battelle Research Institute (Columbus, OH). During his career, Kier published several articles, including “Solid Solution of Silicate Minerals” (which contributed to the development of Corningware®). He moved to Lancaster in 1968 to assume a position in the RCA Picture Tube Engineering Laboratory. He retired from RCA in 1986, but kept busy working as Managing Editor of several scientific journals at Technomic Publishing Company until 2001.

Mr. Finlayson was a lifelong adherent of the Unitarian faith. At the Lancaster Unitarian-Universalist church, from 1998 to 2003, he was a member of the Beacon Committee which invited speakers on a variety of religious and secular topics.

Kier was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Through their years together, he and MaryLou continued to enjoy square dancing and bridge. Mr. Finlayson also enjoyed camping with his family throughout the northeastern US and Canada. Two trips of note were a trip with extended family to Letchworth State Park in NY and another trip to Prince Edward Island (PEI). His hobbies included researching his ancestry through genealogy websites and trips to Boston and PEI, being a ham radio operator (KB3VJ), learning German and playing bridge, billiards, and golf. Kier enjoyed reading about and discussing the history and practice of religion. Watching Western and WWII movies was another favorite pastime.

Mr. Finlayson is survived by his wife, MaryLou, and three daughters: Jeanne, wife of Ted Finlayson-Schueler of Syracuse, NY; Janet, wife of the late Thomas Cates of Newark, DE; and Nora, wife of James Mearns, IV of Villanova, PA. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Brian and Sophie Finlayson-Schueler of Syracuse, NY; Annie Laurie, wife of Dennis McCarthy of Baltimore, MD, and Sarah Cates, fiancée of Michael Waski of Newark, DE; Jim V, Ellie and Katie Mearns of Villanova, PA; and Daniel Kier and Carly LaRocca of Lancaster, PA; as well as one active great-grandson, Tommy McCarthy. Kier is also survived by his sister, Ruth, wife of Terry McFadden of Tucson, AZ and niece Sharon, wife of Ned Opdyke of San Francisco, CA.

He was preceded in death by his brother Kenneth E. Finlayson, of Easton, MA; his eldest daughter, Cheryl, wife of Andrew J. LaRocca of Lancaster, PA; his son-in-law, Thomas Cates, of Newark, DE; and a niece Lori King of Fairbanks, Alaska.

A memorial service to honor Kier’s life will be held on Saturday, January 31,2015 at 10:00 AM in the chapel at Garden Spot Village at 433 South Kinzer Avenue, New Holland, PA 17557. Visitation with the family will follow the service.