Thomas J. Finan

Thomas J. Finan, of Cherry Hill, N.J., passed away on January 12, 2024, at the age of 80. Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Noreen Helena Finan (nee: McHale), his siblings: John, Ann and Mary as well as by his brothers-in-law: Jimmy, Sonny and Charlie (his best friend). He is survived by his devoted family: daughters Dr. Cathleen Finan and Dr. Collleen Finan-Duffy, his son-in-law Dr. Thomas Duffy, his precious grandchild Alexa H’onore Duffy and by his granddog, Sabrina.

          Born in Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY., Tom made Communion with, and later married, the love of his life, Noreen, in St. Francis Xavier Church in Park Slope. He graduated from Manual Training High School (later known as John Jay High School) before joining the U.S. Navy in 1961. Tom served upon the USS Shenandoah, but spent the majority of his career in the Navy upon the USS Damato DD871, a fact of which he was very proud. Other than the 6 years he dedicated to the Navy, Tom spent a brief period working as an expediter for Morgan Guarantee and over 33 years with the Federal Reserve Bank of N.Y. At the Federal Reserve, Tom worked his way up to the position of Assistant Chief Engineer- before retiring to spend time with his ailing wife. In his later years, he was a familiar face, known as “Fuzzy” at Finan Family Medicine- volunteering every day. It was a role he treasured immensely.

          The role he treasured most, however, was his role as Pop-Pop to Alexa H’onore and Sabrina- and as “Pop-Pop Fuzzy” to Alexa’s friends from Ballet NJ and from school. Although he loved to tinker, to build birdhouses and to care for the many species of birds that found haven in his yard, it was his role as Pop-Pop that never ceased to make him smile and bring him joy. From the time Alexa was 2 ½- until her current matriculation to U.N.C.- School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, N.C. as a classical ballet major, “Pop-Pop” never missed a showcase, a spring ballet or a Nutcracker. Recent hospitalizations prevented him from traveling to N.C. to see her perform- but doing so again was a dream he held on to.

In his last months, Tom endured dialysis, numerous infusions, shots, transfusions and having to use oxygen daily. Through it all, he never lost his will to fight, to be “given a chance” and to make the most of the situation and circumstances he’d been given. His strength of will, his pride in his family and his sense of humor stayed with him, leaving an impression on all those whose lives intersected with his.

          Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the visitation on Saturday morning, January 27th from 10:30AM to 11:15AM at Our Lady of Good Council Church at 42 West Main Street, Moorestown, N.J.  08057. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30AM Saturday.  Interment Colestown Cemetery, Cherry Hill. For those who prefer to honor Tom with a contribution, in lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to one of the following: St. Padre Pio Shrine, U.S. Route 40 and Central Avenue, Landisville, New Jersey 08326, Father Solanus (Casey) Guild, c/o Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, New York 10703, or University of North Carolina- School of the Arts: School of Dance (Ballet) Online donations: uncsa.edu/giving/ways-to-give/annual-giving.aspx Ph: (336)-770-3330). Arr. by BOCCO FUNERAL HOME, Cherry Hill.