May God bless you and your...
Remembering Michael on the 20th anniversary of 9/11...
Cindy Roe
September 12, 2021 | Galesburg, MI
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Michael Bradley Finnegan
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
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Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Obituary
Send FlowersMichael Finnegan, 37, had passion for life
Only days before the attack on the World Trade Center, Michael B. Finnegan was videotaped escorting his daughter, Bridget, up the school's stairs in Basking Ridge for her first day in kindergarten.
"When they got to the top where they would part, Bridget hesitated as if to say, 'Oh, no!,' " related Mr. Finnegan's sister, Katherine Finnegan of Omaha, Neb. "As she started to turn around, her father hugged her and said, 'I love you,' his eyes filling with tears. The camera caught it all."
"He had an incredible passion for people and life," she said. "This most endearing man took nothing good in his life for granted. His unfettered enthusiasm for life was contagious. When friends of (his wife) Erin would visit they'd tell her they wished their husbands could be more like Mike."
A currency broker with Cantor Fitzgerald, Mr. Finnegan was at work on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center's North Tower when it was struck by a hijacked airliner on Sept. 11.
He was on the phone with a friend, also a customer, who recalled Mr. Finnegan saying, before hanging up, "I've got to get out of here, there's lots of smoke." The friend called Michael's wife to say that he was all right. Hope faded in the days of silence that followed.
Mr. Finnegan, 37, spent his free time with his wife and children, family and friends. He loved to travel and play golf. He was the Rock Spring Country Club Men's Champion in 1998 and 2000.
Friends said Mr. Finnegan's gift was making everyone he touched feel important. He spent summers teaching his children to swim and perfecting their golf grips. He taught his son Bradley how to hug. During the last five weeks, Mr. Finnegan treasured his midnight feedings alone with his newborn son, Jack.
"He was a very sensitive person," said his sister. "Even when we were children and he was awful as a younger brother, tormenting me, he was always sensitive."
A Kingston, N.Y., native, Mr. Finnegan graduated from Kingston High School in 1982 and from the University of Richmond in 1986, where he played golf and intramural lacrosse.
Mr. Finnegan moved to Hoboken and met Erin McDonnell there in 1989. They were married in 1992 and moved to Basking Ridge the same year.
Mr. Finnegan also is survived by his parents, Frank and Beverly Finnegan of Kingston, and his grandmothers, Helen Sim and Frances Bradley, both of Endicott, N.Y.
Guest Book
Michael,
I was as devastated as everyone else when 911 happened, and when I heard you were there, it was then my heart broke. I know it's been a long time since we talked, but, it still feels like yesterday. In Jr high and high school, you playing sports, and being the wonderful guy you are. The smile that lite anywhere you were. God sure did take an angel when he took you. I am so grateful that I can call you my friend, thank you for this. I think of you so often. My thoughts...
Marianne Mccloskey Mack
September 11, 2019 | Norfolk, VA | Classmate
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My thoughts and prayers are with Mike's family today and always. Mrs Finnegan I knew your husband in Jr High ( JW Bailey) and into High School. He was always there with a smile and a joke and looked after shy kids like me. I can't believe it's been 18 years because it feels like it all happened yesterday. I think of him often especially when I pass the Golf Course. He was an amazing person when I knew him and I have no doubt he carried that into his adult life. I've read stories about him...
Lisa (Wolven) Glass
September 11, 2019 | Kingston, NY | Classmate
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Hi Mike,It has been a long time since we spoke,although I think of you often,especially when passing a Golf Course.When I hired you to work at Tradition it was because you were so open and friendly,and it was obvious that everyone would take to you immediately.You proved that in spades and became a very successful broker.Maria and I will never forget you.
March 28, 2018
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Following my visit to the World Trade Center memorial in 2017, I reviewed the photos taken that day and clearly saw Michael Bradley Finnegan's name stamped over my left shoulder and was compelled to find out more about this faceless name punched into the bronze plate.
This was a great man from what I read and whom I never met but who's spirit is alive and well thru his children. He is gone for now but one day Michael and his family will be reunited for all eternity.
Paul
January 12, 2018 | Pittsburgh
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You will forever be in our hearts. Miss you. Diana and Ron
September 10, 2017
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In memory of Michael Bradley Finnegan
I'm a 13 year old boy who lives in Tennessee and we are learning about the 9/11 tragedy in school. I chose to learn about Michael Bradley Finnegan because I have his middle name has my first name. Michael sounds like a nice guy and will be missed by many. I'm sorry for your loss.
From a 13 year old boy who lives in Tennessee
September 20, 2016
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I pray for your family and I hope that Michael is remembered for generations!
Allison Martin
September 13, 2016 | VA
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Hello, I have heard a lot about your husband Mrs. Finnegan. My mother, Kerrin Johnson Martin and my Aunt Lisa Oliver knew Michael because they grew up together. From all the stories I have heard about him, your husband was a great, kind, respectful, and positive man. I wish I could've had the chance to meet him in person, but perhaps we shall meet in Heaven? Haha, I will have to wait and see. I am SO sorry for your loss.
Ps. I am currently 15 going on 15 and 1/2, and I was only a...
Allison Martin
September 13, 2016 | VA
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