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Gerald Finnigan Obituary
October 17, 1925
to August 15, 2007
Beloved husband, father, grand- father, brother and friend, Jerry passed away of complications related to chronic kidney disease brought on by his late-in-life struggle with diabetes. Born to Marie Florence Jacobs and Charles Marcellus Finnigan, Jerry, the second oldest of seven children, spent his youth in Buffalo, New York. He attended Christ the King Elementary School and Amherst Central High School, and then joined the Navy V-12 officer training program, earning an engineering degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1946. Jerry served 3 years active duty and another 13 years in the Navy Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant in 1959. In 1948, Jerry joined Owens Corning Fiberglas in Newark, Ohio, as a trainee chartered with opening the company's Santa Clara plant in 1949. Jerry retired from OCF in 1984 after a long and storied career. On November 12, 1949, Jerry married Myra Jean Drumm (of Newark). The newlyweds moved to California, ready to start a new life. They settled in San Jose, and then moved to Saratoga to raise a family, surrounded by the rolling hills and apricot orchards of the West Santa Clara Valley in the late 1950s. Jerry spent his nearly 82 years supporting and loving his wife, nurturing his children and grandchildren, enjoying his many close friends, adventuring with them and his family and, recently, retiring with Myra to Rocklin, CA. Myra, his devoted wife for 57 years, preceded Jerry in death on July 3, 2007. Jerry is held in loving memory by his children Colleen Davis of Rocklin, Patrick and wife Lynn of Reno, John and wife Julie of Phuket, Thailand, Richard and wife Stacey of El Dorado Hills, and Gerald and wife Pauline of Sacramento; and by his grandchildren, Michael and wife Marie Julie, Elly, Qi Qi, Nicholas, Jamie, Meredith and Rose. Those who knew Jerry Finnigan knew an exceptional person. He was smart, loving, gracious, generous, and, most of all, caring and supportive. His compassion, wisdom and warm-heartedness will be deeply missed. Friends are invited to celebrate Jerry's life at a memorial service on Friday, September 7, 2007, at 3PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 13716 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-867-3634. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his memory be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311, or at www.diabetes.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gerald Finnigan
Mom and Dad, Michael and me at the Grand Canyon, Kauai, HI
Colleen Davis
September 9, 2007
Dad,
I'll miss you and Mom as you two were the "glue" that kept all of us connected to know we'd never be alone, and proud to be part of such a loving family. You also were my best friend in the world, my protector and advisor through good times and bad. You always had the magical solutions to problems and made me see the bright side, the right side to working them out. My heart is aching, for both you and Mom, but I feel that I had the best of the last months of your lives as your caretaker. I'll treasure the time we spent together.
I love you always,
Colleen
Peggy Finnigan-Dudenhoeffer
September 8, 2007
My Thoughts & Prayers are with you all at this time of great sadness & loss.
May God Bless you all!
Mary knorr
September 6, 2007
I am very sorry for the loss of your dad. I was able to take care of him in the hospital. He had the greatest eyes. Even when he didn't feel like talking, he smiled with his eyes. I will always remember Jerry, and your mom too. I hope as time goes on, and knowing that they are togeather the pain will not hurt so much.
Paul Finnigan
September 4, 2007
Jerry Finnigan was the eternal optimist. He could turn despair to hope, sadness to happiness, the seemingly impossible to possible! For me, he made California and San Jose State possible. He jump started my education and my career and even found needed work for both Nancy and I. Jerry was the best man at our wedding and he and Myra hosted our wedding reception at their Santa Clara home.
Nancy and Myra enjoyed a close relationship and shared the joys of having babies and the trials of having them grow up. Jerry shared the joy that Paul found in cars, boats, airplanes and condominiums. Our families shared great times at our homes in Brookview and Saratoga Woods, bought a condo together at Incline Village and enjoyed visiting, camping and boating at Lake Tahoe for over 30 years.
More recently, we enjoyed a week with Jerry and Myra at our cabin in Idaho (2001); we spent 10 days helping out after Myra's surgery (2005); and our last visit was a quick stop on our way by…. you guessed it… going camping at Emerald Bay. (2006).
Jerry and Myra, we love you!
Paul and Nancy Finnigan
Charles Chase
September 4, 2007
We were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Jerry. We have many fond memories of both your father and mother. These memories started on Easton Place (Saratoga, CA) as next door neighbors in 1963, included Incline Village and ended up in the Sacramento area. Jerry and Myra were tough competitors in bridge, fun in the snow, exciting to be with on their boat and just great to sit down toward the end to have a memorable conversation. They will definitely be missed by Carole and me.
With much love--Carole & Chuck Chase
Kathleen Finnigan-Frydenlund
September 4, 2007
Dear Jerry Finnigan Family,
May God bless you all at this time of great loss...Jerry was one of my favorite uncles. My memories of being with him were always remembered with joy. He and Myra will be greatly missed! Love, Kathleen Finnigan-Frydenlund
Dad and Me ... Best Buddies For Life!
Pat Finnigan
September 4, 2007
Jerry Finnigan was not just my Dad, who guided and watched over me all the days of my life.
But he was also my dearest friend, who loved and laughed with me in good times, and consoled and encouraged me in bad.
He was a wonderful and gentle man who lived life to the fullest for himself, but who always placed his love and devotion to his family and friends above himself and everything else.
My heart is heavy with sadness at having lost him ... I miss him dearly.
I Love You Dad,
Pat
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