Obituary of Edward "Ed" Finnegan

Edward Francis Finnegan, "Ed", 90, died peacefully at home in Ashland, VA on February 14th. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, February 21 at Manchester Memorial Funeral Home, 28 Schoolhouse Rd., Whiting., A Funeral Liturgy will be offered at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday February 22 at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting. Ed is coming home to NJ to be buried at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown. Born May 29, 1920 in Orange, NJ to Edward Angelus Finnegan and May Cody, Ed moved to Bloomfield at 16, eventually raising his own family in Glen Ridge where he resided for 40 years. He was predeceased in 2000 by his wife Theresa Joan Herlihy "Joan" of Jersey City, NJ. They were married for 52 years, had four children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Ed Finnegan graduated Bloomfield High School in 1938, and was a member of the local Mohawk's athletic club where he excelled as a baseball shortstop. The Mohawk's favorite destination in the late 30's, early 40's was Lake Hopatcong where he shared good times, dancing and playing cards with lifelong friends. He served in the army during World War II as a company clerk, rising to sergeant during a tour that included Bristol, England, Oran, North Africa and Leon, France. Ed worked as a Tool and Die Inspector at Westinghouse Lamp Division in Bloomfield where he retired after 42 years. He was an avid Giants fan, watching football with family and at VFW Post 6255 in Cedar Grove. He took pleasure in playing golf, and league bowling. Ed and Joan were active with the Old Guard in Caldwell where they participated in many travel tours. During his lifetime he lived throughout NJ: Orange 1920-31, Midvale 1931-36, Bloomfield 1936-50, Denville 1950-56, Glen Ridge 1956-97 , and Whiting 1997 until moving to Virginia in 2004. Ed loved and was proud of his wife and four children. He was well liked, had a great sense of humor, and was fond of telling jokes. In his later years, Ed was quick to tell folks, "I've had a great life!" It was a lifetime of early hardships overcome by singing and laughter with friends and family. He is survived by his loving and appreciative children Kevin Finnegan and his wife Beth of Fairfield, NJ, Mark and his wife Allyson of Placencia, Belize, Donna and her husband Martin Wright of Bumpass, VA and Richard of Gainesville, GA; his dear sister Joan Finnegan of Manchester Township, NJ; Grandchildren Jason, Daylyn, Erin and Carl; Great-grandchildren Andrew, Kayla, Travis and Haley.