Paul G. Finnerty

Paul G. Finnerty, of the Minooka section of Scranton, died Saturday at Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore. He is survived by his loving wife, Ann Marie (Nancy) Gordon Finnerty. The couple had been married for 67 years.

Born in Scranton, he was the eldest son of the late Paul E. Finnerty and Alice Farragher Finnerty. He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, a 1949 graduate of South Catholic High School and he attended the University of Scranton. Paul served honorably in the United States Army during the Korean War, rising to the rank of sergeant. After he was discharged from the military, Paul began working with the railroad. During his 32-year career, he was employed by the DL & W, the Erie-Lackawanna and Conrail serving as chief train dispatcher and trainmaster. When the railroads pulled out of Northeast Pennsylvania, Paul began a second career at Tobyhanna Army Depot where he worked as a production controller until his retirement.

Paul was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and this led to his involvement in many local civic, nonprofit organizations. Paul was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, JFK Division, having served in many leadership positions, including county president. He was also a founding member of the O'Neil Brothers Division where he served as its first president. For years, Paul was instrumental in bringing disadvantaged children to the United States from war-torn Northern Ireland with Project Children. Celebrating his Irish heritage on St. Patrick's Day with his family and friends was always one of Paul's greatest joys.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and son, and he will be deeply missed by his family. Paul always enjoyed large gatherings with family and friends, and he never needed a reason for a party. For better or worse, Paul would engage anyone who would listen in an argument over religion, politics, sports or any other subject. Although he had no formal training, he was an accomplished ballroom dancer. For years, Paul enjoyed regular square dancing with a large group of his closest friends. He loved to travel and he was blessed to have had a tour of Ireland before he took ill. Paul's favorite place to visit was Cape Cod where he enjoyed the scenery, the people and the regular lineup of Irish entertainment. He also loved attending Irish festivals, regularly listening to Irish music and tending to his garden. An avid sports fan, he treated every Notre Dame football game like the Super Bowl.

Paul had a long, full and blessed life that unfortunately was interrupted by dementia in his golden years. Despite his illness, he never lost faith in God nor his unconditional love for his family. Although he recognized that his mind was failing, Paul encountered his illness with courage and dignity. Because he was such an avid reader, the loss of his mental faculties was especially challenging and tragic.

Also surviving are his eight children, Thomas Finnerty and wife, JoAnn, Old Forge; Mary Alice Browning and husband, Kevin; Kathleen Murray; Ann Ackourey; Paul J. Finnerty and wife, Sharon; Patricia Corbett and husband, Robert, all of Scranton; Timothy Finnerty and wife, Bonnie, Harrisburg; and John Finnerty and wife, Melinda, Scranton; 18 grandchildren, Patrick Browning, Scranton; Caitlin Briscoe and husband, James, Westminster, Md.; Coilin Murray and wife, Krista Somers, Scranton; Christopher Corbett, Scranton; Carolyn Finnerty, Scranton; Brianna Finnerty Grzyboski and husband, Richard, Moosic; Megan Owens and husband, Christian, Scranton; Timothy Finnerty, Pittsburgh; Elizabeth Corbett, Scranton; Cara Browning, Scranton; Louis Finnerty, Bethlehem; Shane Finnerty, Pittsburgh; Haileigh Finnerty, Scranton; Claire Finnerty, Pittsburgh; Cecilia Finnerty, Scranton; John (Jake) Finnerty Jr., Scranton; Michael Finnerty, Harrisburg; and Gavin Finnerty, Scranton; five great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Michael Gordon and wife, Cathy, Scranton; and Vince Olive and wife, Mary, Crofton, Md.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Finnerty and his wife, Jane; sister, Patricia (Finnerty) Olive; two sons-in-law, Timothy Murray and Patrick Ackourey; and twin infant grandchildren (Ackourey).

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Hospice of the Sacred Heart and all of the nurses and staff at Gino J. Merli Veterans Center where he spent the last year of life.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no visitation hours are planned. The family will attend a private Mass of Christian Burial by the Rev. Francis L. Pauselli and the Rev. Patrick L. Albert at St. Joseph's Church, Divine Mercy Parish, Minooka, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 1:30 p.m. Friends and extended family may view the livestream celebration of Paul's life by visiting YouTube at bit.ly/htechfssa.

Arrangements by Eagen-Hughes Funeral Home, 2908 Birney Avenue, Scranton, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Paul's name to Divine Mercy Parish, 312 Davis St., Scranton, PA 18505; or Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 340 Montage Mountain Road, Moosic, PA 18507.