What a perfect and beautiful day...

To our new and dear friends, Ms. Chainie Lang and Lettecia Barnes:
Words cannot express our appreciation for the coordination and had work in making sure Rubio had the homegoing he deserved. You, both knew the depth of his struggle and his determination to overcome the forces that kept him away from all of us for so long.  You were not only instrumental in guiding him in the right direction, but you walked with him every step of the way. We thank you, the members of the Lighthouse Mission and EVERYONE who was instrumental in ensuring that Rubio's memory will live on.
Thank you my dear friend Tony "Ndongo" Richards, for providing the music and your awesome rendition of "Let It Be". You did not hesitate when asked to play for Rubio. Your friendship stemmed over 40 years and you showed what he meant to you. Thank you so very much.
 

Rubio leaves to cherish his memories, his mother: Juta Lamotta

Daughters:  Molika Finch-Livisay and Marsha Finch

Brothers:  Earl, Vernon and Clifton Finch, John, Keith and Glenn LaMotta

Sisters:  Lindsay and Yvette Finch, Deborah and Denise LaMotta

Sisters-In-Law: Magda Finch, Erma Brathwaite-LaMotta and Karen LaMotta

Sons-in-law: Terrence Livisay, Sr. and Emmanuel Camacho

Grandsons: Terrence Livisay Jr. and Tyler Livisay
Uncles:  Hilvan A. Finch, Sr., Gilbert Phipps, Dalton Phipps and Roy Petersen

Aunts: Lorna Potter and Karen Petersen

Nieces and Nephews:  Charmaine, Pachese, Vida, and Dior Finch, Tanechka Finch-Brathwaite; Robert, Craig, Shaun, Vernon and Quincy Finch; Cory and Craig Harris, and Quincy Finch; Kristal, Jemaniel and Kallundah Dawson; Jaliah and Kaliah Llody; Janieka, Jamiella, Damian, Jakella, Gelisa, Elisa, Keith, Kyle, Kristal, Myenn and Myell LaMotta.

Extended family and special friend: Ms. Julia “Sis” Benjamin-Bennerson,
Lettecia Barnes, Janice Essanason, Chainie Lang 

Thank You…

Rubio had a special friends of whom he spoke of constantly.  We take this opportunity to extend our sincere appreciation to the following individuals, organizations and institutions, for your caring support and helping hands, during a challenging period of his life. 

Ms. Julia “Sis” Benjamin Bennerson

Ms. Lettecia “Lettie” Barnes

Ms. Janice Essanason

Mrs. Chainie Lang and “Miss Ruth”

Staff of St. Croix Mission Outreach

Staff of Lighthouse Mission

Lutheran Social Services

Mr. Allen Brady & Family (Brady’s Restaurant)

Mrs. Singh (Singh’s Fast Food Service)

Mr. Mohammed

Dr. Michael, Potts - Cardiologist

Harbor Grace Hospice, Atlanta, Georgia

Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia

Management and friends of the Atlanta Mission Home

Friends in the Time Square Sunday Market

Rubio Alexander “Butch” Finch was born on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands July 14, 1953 to Mrs. Juta LaMotta.  He was preceded in death by his father, the late Earl B. Finch.  Rubio was raised in the Demerara (the Southside of French town) community by  his grandparents, the late Maria “Ma” Herbert Petersen and Cyril “Shine” Petersen.  A lady known to us as Miss Guss (his Godmother) also played an integral role in his young life.  Rubio was baptized in the All Saints Anglican Episcopal Church.  It was through his closeness to his grandfather that he acquired an interest in horses.  His love for the sea was sparked during the times he spent going fishing with his father.  Rubio’s attention shifted a bit from horses and fishing, when he discovered  baseball.  He began to take baseball seriously, entering the pee-wee league. He advanced to the Single-A as a member of the Orioles Baseball team, then on to the Double-A league, playing the 1st base position with the Dodgers team..

Rubio attended the Nisky Elementary School, then Adelita Cancryn Junior High School (formerly Wayne Aspinall Jr. High).  He was a member of the first class to graduate from this school.  He attended Charlotte Amalie High School and was a member of the class of 1973.  While in high school, he pursued his newly found interest in music.  In 1972, Rubio, along with Ulysses “Tommy” Pilgrim, his brother Cliff and a few more musicians founded the band called Brothers of Soul.  He became the percussionist and background vocalist with the band.  Rubio was recruited in 1975 to work with the federally funded Vista Program as a Truant Officer. He was assigned to the Department of Welfare Youth Rehabilitation Center and then to the Department. of Education where he was responsible for working with youngsters who were failing in school.  This program ended in 1978.  Rubio began playing his percussions again in late 1978, this time joining the newly formed Imaginations Brass.  From 1979 to 1987, he recorded on all of Imagination’s albums and toured throughout the Caribbean and stateside with the band.   

It was also during this time that Rubio met Mrs. Merlise Woodley Rabsatt.  Their loving relationship produced two beautiful daughters; Molika and Marsha Finch.

Shortly after the birth of Marsha, Rubio relocated to St. Croix.  He worked at various establishments throughout the downtown Christiansted neighborhoods. Many of the local store owners took a personal interest in Rubio.

In 2003, Rubio started visiting the St. Croix Mission Office in downtown Christiansted Sunday Market.  It was there that he met Ms. Chainie Lang, Director of the organization. Ms. Lang and Rubio developed a very special friendship.  Rubio became an extended family member to her and her mother, (affectionately known as) Miss Ruth.  He appointed himself as their personal security guard, since he felt it was unsafe for two ladies to be alone in the office. Oftentimes, he would stay and have lunch with them, chit-chat about family, etc.  Rubio (being the busybody that he was), decided that the entrance to the office needed to be beautified with plants.  Again, he took charge of his newly developed project, planting and maintaining some of the most beautiful plants and flower pots, making the St. Croix Mission facility the most attractive office seen when you drove down King Street.  Rubio shared with Ms. Lang some of the proudest moments of his life, one being the upcoming wedding of his daughter Molika and Terrance. He was just as proud to brag about both his girls completing college. When Rubio spoke of his daughters, he often said that they were his only success stories.  

In early 2012, Rubio’s health began to decline.  He was hospitalized for a short period, and it was during this time that took a more serious look at his future.   With a lot of encouragement and support from his brothers and sisters, Rubio finally left the streets of St. Croix behind, to begin his journey to recovery. He knew that the road was long and hard, but he was determined to change his lifestyle.  With the help of his family, Ms. Lang, and other friends, Rubio left St. Croix to attend a rehabilitation program in Atlanta Georgia. With the support of his family and friends, along with the Lettie’s encouragement, Rubio decided to dedicate his life to Christ.  Rubio  became a member of the First Baptist Buckhead Church in Atlanta.   He enthusiastically volunteered to join their band as their percussionist.  Rubio graduated from the Atlanta Mission Program in  May 2013.  Because of his success in the program, he was asked to stay on another year to assist with counseling and encouraging those who were entering the program for the first time. 

Rubio’s health suddenly began to decline, even further. He was brave throughout his battle, and tried to assure his girls and his siblings that he knew we were there cheering him on. Early Wednesday morning, June 25th, our Butch quietly left this life, to be present with his Lord and Savior. He left peacefully, with the blessed assurance that nothing could separate him from the love of God. “Now, it is well with his soul.”