Richard W. Finelli

Richard Walter Finelli, 94, of Barnegat Light, passed away on October 12, 2025. Born April 1, 1931 in Kearny, NJ to Anthony Finelli & Wanda Dukiet. Richard, or Babe as his father called him, grew up during the depression. His father ran a fruit and vegetable store in Kearny where the family lived in the spare room behind the store - Richard, his parents and older brother Al (Sonny). During this time, he developed a strong work ethic. Making trips to Newark's farm market with his father, buying produce to sell the next day in the store. He passed that work ethic on to his children and grandchildren.
Upon graduating from Kearny High School, a teacher urged him to go to college. He took that advice and became the first one in his family to attend. Earning a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering at Fairleigh Dickinson University, years later he went back to school and earned a Master of Business Administration at Drexel University.
He married the love of his life Rosemary Clark on June 27th, 1953. They were together for 63 years and he cared for her the last few years of her life in their home. After Fairleigh Dickenson, he joined the Army in the early 50's for two years, followed by 4 more years in the reserves.
After the Army, he worked at Johns Manville, in NJ and Foster Grant in NH then returned to NJ with RCA in Camden and ended his work career at Howe Furniture Corporation in Norwalk, CT.
Hobbies included – swimming, traveling with his wife, wood working and gardening.
In retirement, Richard and Rosemary traveled extensively in Europe and Asia. Making many trips to Ireland, France, Spain and Italy. In addition, several trips to the far east, Mainland China, Taiwan and Japan.
After Rosemary passed, he still made it back to Spain for the running of the Bulls in Pamplona. Although a few of his grandsons ran he just observed.
He traveled to India twice to visit the Mercy Home Foundation projects over there. He was very excited to be a part of the MHF work there and he was greatly loved by both the staff and the special needs residents. When he was 86, Richard visited the birthplace of his grandfather Antonio Finelli in Lioni, Italy.
Survived by 5 Children, Richard A. Finelli (MaryPat), Cathy Tash (Paul), Mark Finelli (Lauren), Rosemary Bryan (Todd) and Joseph N. Finelli (Karin), 17 Grand Children, 28 Great Grandchildren and 5 Great Great Grandchildren.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 from 10:00 am until time of the Funeral Liturgy at 11:00 am at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 4700 Long Beach Blvd, Brant Beach, NJ 08008. Cremation was private and under the direction of Bugbee-Riggs Funeral Home, Ship Bottom.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Mercy Home Foundation, P.O. Box 126, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006.