Thomas J. Finnegan

Thomas J. Finnegan, Jr., 88, died peacefully on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at home. Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, he was the son of Thomas J. and Marianne J. (Elligette) Finnegan. Thomas was a graduate of Archbishop Stepinac High School, Fordham University and Columbia Law School and was employed at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company where he served as Vice President, Secretary and Associate General Counsel, retiring in 1998. Prior to that he practiced law for 5 years in New York City. Thomas lived with his family in Wilbraham since 1966 and was an active communicant at St. Cecilia’s Parish where he taught CCD, coordinated both the RCIA program and Eucharistic Adoration, taught Adult Catholic Education, served as Finance Council Chairman, lector, altar server and extraordinary minister. He was also co-chairman of the Parish’s Annual Catholic Appeal Committee. He received the Bishop’s Circle of Stewards Award, was a member of the Diocesan Allocation Board for the Annual Catholic Appeal, was the chairman of the Advisory Board to the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield and was a diocesan representative of the Future of Hope campaign. Thomas and his wife Gail were named the 2010 Pro-Life Couple of the Year by the Pioneer Valley Chapter of Massachusetts Citizens for Life. They were also the diocesan representatives for the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The most important things to Thomas were always his Catholic faith and his family. He was especially devoted to praying the rosary.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Gail (Ryan) Finnegan, three sons, Daniel J. Finnegan and his wife Theresa of Wilbraham, Mark T. Finnegan and his wife Stephanie of Moultonborough, NH and Paul A. Finnegan and his wife Gina of Wilbraham; three daughters, Kathleen A. Sandman and her husband Jon of Wilbraham, Susan M. Yelinek and her husband Charles of Wilbraham and Martha J. Finnegan and her husband John of Bristol, RI, and predeceased by one sister, Mary E. Gibbons of Garden City, NY. He also leaves his 16 beloved grandchildren: Kalyn, Sarah, Kyle, Thomas, Molly, Brigid, Bernard, Katelyn, Matthew, Hannah, Patrick, Ryan, William, Michael, Joseph and John and 5 beloved great grandchildren Colin, Liam, Luke, Parker and Nicholas. Visitation will be held at the Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham on Wednesday, May 15th from 4-8 p.m. Family and friends may meet for Thomas’ Liturgy of Christian Burial on Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Cecilia’s Church, 42 Main St., Wilbraham with entombment following in Most Holy Redeemer Mausoleum at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Springfield. Please pray for the repose of his soul.