Marc Brandon Finch

After a courageous and faithful nearly two-year battle with Glioblastoma, Marc (52) passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 14, 2022 to be in Heaven with his Lord and Savior. Born January 27, 1970 in Roanoke Rapids, NC to the late Sylvia (Chambliss) and George Carlton Finch. The family moved to Raleigh when Marc was in elementary school, and he graduated from Millbrook High School before continuing his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. He was a lifelong Tar Heel fan, and while at Chapel Hill, he was a member of the cheerleading team for four years. In 2001, he married the love of his life, Catherine Reynolds Peacock after meeting her in 1999 in a stairwell at UNC Hospital as they called on physicians in their different sales roles.

Marc began his career at Eli Lilly and Company, where he had several roles in sales and marketing throughout his nearly 11 years there, working in the Raleigh area, and then moving to Indianapolis and Dallas. He went on to work at Alexion Pharmaceuticals in Cheshire, CT for nearly 6 years, where he was integral in building the organizational infrastructure, supporting the organization through a period of expansion and driving the launch of two products for orphan diseases at the specialty pharma company. In 2012, Marc began fulfilling a dream of entrepreneurship when he and Catherine launched Elevated Tarheel Cuisine, opening the Triangle area’s first Elevation Burger restaurant in 2013. In 2015, Marc returned to working in rare diseases, joining BioMarin where he held leadership positions in sales and marketing for lysosomal storage disorders. In 2018, Marc joined Ionis Pharmaceuticals as Vice President of Sales, and later Akcea Therapeutics where he led sales and international operations before his retirement in 2021. Marc had a passion for sales, education and supporting patients with rare diseases with high unmet medical needs by bringing orphan therapies to market.

Marc was dedicated to his family, and a friend to all those around him. Marc and Catherine had a true partnership and deep love for one another, respect and trust, founded in the scripture and a close relationship with Jesus as his Lord and Savior. In 2003, Marc added father to his many hats, with the birth of their son Brandon, and then in 2005, Hayden. He was a devoted father and took great joy in all the things that the boys did — he loved being outdoors with them whether fishing or hiking, or exploring new places. He was always patient and loving, and shared his faith, strong work ethic and love of the Tar Heels with both of the boys. He was an avid reader, keeping a fit mind and body, and enjoyed traveling. While his work took him many interesting places, family travel was something he really enjoyed – whether to the mountains or the beaches, he treasured the opportunities to spend time with his family. Marc was a member of The Summit Church and was a founding member of the Blue Ridge Campus in Raleigh. Marc was generous with his time and service through the church and its missions. Family mission trips that were taken to Canada and Mexico helped shape service and commitment in their children, and provided countless ways to demonstrate their love of Christ to others. Throughout his illness, Marc found strength in scripture and often was an inspiration to those around him. Although Marc’s years were shorter than anyone anticipated, he lived a full life in the years he had, and his legacy will live on in his family and all those who knew him. We are blessed to have had him in our lives, and we know that he is no longer suffering – as he has received the ultimate healing in Heaven.

Marc is survived by his wife, Catherine Peacock Finch, and sons Brandon Reynolds Finch and Hayden Lucas Finch, of the home. He is also survived by two brothers, George (Cindy) Finch of Columbus, NC and Steve Finch of Raleigh, mother-in-law Virginia Peacock of Bluefield, WV, sister-in-law Amy (Brian)

Trojanowski, and brother-in-law Allen (Eliza) Peacock, nieces Lesley Duffield, Kellie and Erica Finch, and nephews Aaron, Grant, Seth and Cade Finch, Tanner, William and Adam Trojanowski and three great-nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express thanks to the physicians and staff at the Duke Brain Tumor Center and the Transitions Hospice team who have provided support and comfort during the past nearly two years.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 1:00pm at The Summit Church-Blue Ridge Campus, 3249 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27612. The family will receive friends following the service.

Memorial contributions can be directed to The Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University (DUMC 3624, Durham, NC 27710), Inheritance of Hope (P. O. Box 155, Seneca, SC 29769) or The Summit Church (2335 Presidential Drive, Suite 114, Durham, NC 27703).