Frank Finneran

1918 - 2015

Frank Kennedy "Bud" Finneran, 96, peacefully passed away at his home in Elmhurst, IL on April 4, 2015. He was born December 6, 1918, in Oklahoma City, OK, to Emmett Joseph and Margaret Cole Finneran. Frank graduated from Cornell University in 1941, where he enjoyed an illustrious athletic career playing both football and baseball. He was inducted into the Cornell University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981 with a trophy engraved "Iron Man Finneran" attesting to his football prowess. He was also a member of the famous "Fifth Down" Big Red team that, in 1940, voluntarily forfeited their win over Dartmouth when it was discovered Cornell had inadvertently been given an extra down during the game. Following graduation from Cornell he had offers to play both professional football and baseball but chose instead to enlist in the United States Marine Corps and serve our country during World War II. As Commanding Officer of Company C, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marines Division, Frank was awarded both the Bronze Star for "heroic achievement" at the Battle of Bougainville, Solomon Islands, and the Silver Star for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" during the Iwo Jima Campaign. He was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 1958 having achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Frank enjoyed a successful career in sales and marketing for various companies. He was an avid golfer throughout his life, at one time having a 6 handicap, and belonged to the River Forest Country Club in Elmhurst, IL, for many years. Frank was married three times, first to Carolyn Finneran (nee Evans), then to the late Ann Finneran (nee Ohmsen), and finally to the late Lee Finneran (nee Bloch). Devoted father and friend, Frank is survived by longtime companion Barbara Neil and his six children: Frank K. Finneran, Jr., (wife~Susan) of Seattle, WA; Sharon F. Rittenhouse (husband~Robert) of Santa Cruz, CA; Michael H. Finneran (wife~Carrie) of Raleigh, NC; James G. Finneran (wife~Jane), of Gig Harbor, WA; Matthew C. Finneran (wife~Nancy), of Raleigh, NC; and Tracey F. Pitts (husband~Robert), of Lago Vista, TX. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his second and third wives, parents, and six siblings. Frank was a larger than life personality who enjoyed a good joke or the singing of an Irish tune. He will be missed by all those who knew him. A memorial service with full military honors will be held at Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, IL, at 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 16, 2015. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Semper Fi Fund for Injured Marines, 825 College Blvd., Ste. 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057.