Wright Cannon Finney

Wright Cannon Finney, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away on January 2, 2026. He was born on April 19, 1953, in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in Tampa, Florida, where he graduated from H.B. Plant High School. In 1971, Wright moved to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences in 1975, with minors in chemistry and mathematics, and a Master of Science in Marine Ecology and Systematic Zoology in 1978, with a strong specialization in statistics. It was at Florida State that Wright met his wife, Janice, whom he married in 1977. Wright devoted his professional life to Florida State University, with a career spanning more than four decades. He was known as a skilled researcher, a generous mentor, and a steady presence within the institution. Early in his career, Wright worked in the Department of Physics with Professor Robert H. Davis on research involving electron-beam and pulsed-corona technologies for air-pollution control under United States Department of Energy grants. This work focused on reducing sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter from industrial emissions and resulted in publications that were widely cited. In 1992, Wright joined the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering as an associate in research. During nearly three decades in that role, he became indispensable to the department’s teaching and research missions. He played a key role in curriculum development and contributed to the development of the Biomedical Engineering undergraduate degree program. For his dedication and contributions, he was presented with the FSU Seminole Award. Wright mentored generations of graduate and undergraduate students. He was a long-time advisor to the student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, where he organized fundraising activities, helping students attend regional and national conferences. Wright was happiest on the water, boating with his wife Janice and participating in water activities with friends. One passion of his was windsurfing. Wright was a founding member of the Shell Point Sailboard Club, which led to his involvement with the Stephen C. Smith Memorial Regatta and the American Cancer Society. In 1995, Wright was instrumental in the formation of the Stephen C. Smith Memorial Regatta Foundation to ensure continuity of the Regatta and to fundraise for the American Cancer Society. Wright served for many years as the Foundation’s president and was widely regarded as the person who quietly made things work, from setting course marks to solving last-minute problems and stepping in whenever help was needed. In describing Wright, it has been stated that “People like Wright don’t just participate in a community – they shape its culture, they lift others up, and they leave behind ripples that keep moving long after they’re gone.” Wright is survived by his wife, Janice; his stepmother, Kay Harkness Finney; his siblings, Joella Finney Sparkman (Joey), P. Gray Finney (Jan), and Kevin Finney (Chris); and many nieces and nephews, and their spouses and children. He is preceded in death by his father, Dr. Roy Pelham Finney, Jr.; his mother, Elizabeth Lanham Balboni; and his brother, James (Jim) Madison Lanham Finney. A celebration of Wright’s life will be held at Bevis Funeral Home, 200 John Knox Road, Tallahassee, on January 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow at the Shriners, 1805 North Monroe Street, corner of East Tharpe and North Monroe. In lieu of Flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Stephen C. Smith Memorial Regatta Foundation. Payment options can be found at www.smithregatta.com, or you can send a check to Stephen C. Smith Memorial Regatta Foundation, P.O. Box 13423, Tallahassee, FL 32317. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Finney family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Wright Cannon Finney

April 19, 1953 - January 2, 2026