Thomas L. Finnegan M.D.

Finnegan M.D., Thomas L.

Thomas L. Finnegan, M.D. age 72, a resident of Manitowoc, WI, passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2017.

Tom was born October 6, 1944 in Chicago, IL. He graduated from Newman Central Catholic High School in Sterling, IL with the class of 1962. Tom graduated from Loyola University and University of Illinois College of Medicine. He interned at Valley Medical Center in Fresno, CA where his met Dianne Esaki, his future wife. From 1972 to 1974, Tom served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force during the final years of the Viet Nam War. The Air Force is where Tom found his lifelong passion for distance running which helped him maintain his flight weight when coupled with his daily diet of 1 hotdog and 2 beers. Afterward, Tom completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Loyola University Medical Center. On August 30, 1975, Tom married Dianne Esaki and shortly after, moved to Manitowoc, WI where he raised his family and served the community for nearly 40 years. He was an avid distance runner and completed more than 50 marathons and 10 ultra-marathons. Tom also enjoyed cycling with his buddies, logging nearly 2000 miles per summer for many years. While a superior athlete, he also had a passion for the arts and loved the Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra. He enjoyed his daughters' marathon dance recitals and watching his son skate his heart out playing ice hockey. Tom was a prolific reader and possessed a wealth of knowledge in many areas, especially WWII history and philosophy. He could name any star in the sky but could not figure out how to use the TV remote or manage the most minor home repair. Tom also enjoyed travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include Tom's wife of 41 years, Dianne; three children, Patrick (Shelley) Finnegan, Lyons, CO; Maura (Joel) Rotroff, NYC, NY; and Kerry (Dan) Patterson, San Francisco, CA; five grandchildren, Thomas and Rowan Finnegan, FDR and Oscar Rotroff, and Narumi Patterson; two sisters, Alison (Richard Dennis) Finnegan, Chicago, IL, and Juliet (Alan Engbring) Finnegan, San Diego, CA; sister-in-law, Julieta Gabiola, Pacifica, CA; brother-in-law, Dennis (Jan) Esaki, San Mateo, CA; three nephews, Chris Esaki, Brett Esaki, and Sean Finnegan; and two nieces, Kelly Engbring and Micaela Finnegan. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Finnegan Sr and Anne Finnegan and brother, Kevin.

"We weep our loss but find peace that you are finally free of pain. Godspeed, dear man, to the loving arms of your father, mother and brother."

A private memorial service of shared thoughts and memories was held on Friday, February 10, 2017 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel with burial of Tom's cremated remains to be at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, WI 54220 assisted the family with funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra, 913 South 8th Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220.