One Year Ago Today - Blenko . Heart of Glass. Everette 'Shorty' Finley

This obit appeared in the news July 8th 2018.   

EVERETT JUNIOR "SHORTY" FINLEY, 92, of Milton, passed away July 4, 2018. He was born January 4, 1926, in Milton, a son of the late Harry and Anna Roberts Finley. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo Meadows Finley. He was a retired glass blower from Blenko Glass, having worked from 1944-1989. He was elected to Milton City Council 1987-1991, a member of the Milton Lions Club and a member of the Glass Art Association. He is survived by two sons and daughter-in-law, Harry Ray Finley of Milton and Ronnie Eugene and Iva Finley of Milton; four grandchildren, Timmy Finley, Kimberly Chapman, Chris Finley and Anna Shull; many great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Wallace Funeral Home, Milton. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, July 9, 2018, at Wallace Funeral Home, Milton, by Pastor Mark Finley.

Shorty Finley was my friend.  I met him as a young child visiting Blenko.   He retired but frequently returned to work or volunteer.  Shorty Finley loved BLENKO, the Blenko Family and last I saw him
he was in his 80s and was making the lamp pictured below - he made three that day.  I don't know if he blew glass after this.  I do know, even on this day it was against his doctor wishes.

As a sophomore in college I began the BLENKO PROJECT, Shorty was very excited about my project and most willing to share his memories, photos, and life experiences at Blenko.    I saw Shorty weekly during my time at the University.
Shorty was unassuming - yet very accomplished.  He was the cover of Glass Magazines, he presented his skills at colleges, received awards from Govenor Rockefellar,  he became friends and admired the Blenko Glass designers - perhaps because he was one of the 5 'best'.  
My family and I. enjoyed visiting his small farm several miles from his Milton home.  We  like spending 'time' with Shorty.  Shorty loved his family - spoke often of his wife and 'his boy's' and their children.
I feel very blessed to have considered Shorty my friend.    ( photos from Blenko Project collection)
Blenko Glass has a history of developing talent, and they continue to have extraordinarily talented craftsmen.