Richard is the grandson of Jacob Finkelstein and the son of Elliot Finkelstein. Richard was a third generation owner of Jacob Finkelstein & Sons. Richard graduated from Classical High School in 1964 and went on to Brown University in 1968 earning a degree in developmental child psychology. He went on to to attend the University of Alabama enrolling in their doctoral program but ultimately left Alabama in 1970 to work with his Dad, Elliot in the family business.

Elliot was the youngest of four sons of Jacob Finkelstein. Jacob was the founder of Jacob Finkelstein  & Sons, a Woonsocket based manufacturer of men's sportswear, outerwear, rain-wear and award jackets. Elliot was the only one of Jacob's children to graduate from college. He earned a B.A. in chemistry from City College of New York in 1931. Foregoing a career in research chemistry Elliot instead joined his three older brothers, Noah, Robert and Harold working in the family business. 

Jacob Finkelstein founded Jacob Finkelstein & Sons, a Woonsocket based manufacturer of men's sportswear, outerwear, rain-wear and award jackets. Jacob spoke only french when he arrived in New York City from Paris at the age of 14.  He initially found work as a peddler of soft-wear and linen tablecloths. While traveling his New England route, Jacob would often visit Woonsocket. He quickly became comfortable communicating and working with the french speaking population.

Jean immigrated to the U.S. with his parents when he was six months old. Both of his parents went to work in the mills, his father at Montrose and his mother at the Bell Worsted. Jean's first job was at the Alsace Mill as a bobbin boy in the "mule room" making $18 per week for 5 days work.

Irene worked in the Berkshire Hathaway Mill for about 2 years before the mill closed and operations were moved down south. She then worked for a time at the Tupperware Mill. Irene's mother, Aggie Bousquet also worked at the Tupperware Mill as a boxer for 17 years and had a perfect record of attendance. Irene has 2 daughters one is a Nurse Practitioner at the VA hospital and the other works at Day Kimble hospital in Connecticut.

Bernard left school at the end of his junior year to take up work in the mill in order to help support his family. From 1950-1952 Bernard served in the Army in Korea. He did go on to earn his high school equivalency. Bernard is a former employee of the Museum of Work & Culture. He started with the Museum on the day it opened in 1997.