Obituary of Robert Finnegan

ROBERT PATRICK FINNEGAN, 81, of JACKSON, died Friday, May 30, at Bartley Health Care, Jackson, with his four devoted daughters at his side. Mr. Finnegan was born, raised, and had lived in Jersey City, where he was an active parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish, before moving to North Arlington in 1969. He moved to Surry Downs, Howell, in 1987 before settling to the Orchards, Jackson, in 2006. Robert was a graduate of Dickinson High School. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Mr. Finnegan was a Jersey City fireman, serving for 38 years, rising through the ranks and retiring as a deputy chief in 1992. He was a parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Farmingdale. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Eileen; a brother, Francis Finnegan; and a sister, Jean Bishop. Surviving are his four daughters, Kathleen Finnegan and her husband Dennis Canavan of Milford, Patricia and Robert Kierney of Kearney, Sharon Finnegan of Jackson, Mary Beth Finnegan of Hillsborough, and his adopted fifth daughter, and son-in-law, Bonnie and Robert O'Dwyer. He was a loving "Pop-Pop" to Sean and Meagan Kierney, Kathryn and Lauren Sfayer, Emily, Brendan, Devin and Briana Canavan, Ryan and Caitlin Pecca, and Christopher and Patrick O'Dwyer. Also surviving are one brother, John Finnegan; three sisters, Helen Canevaro, Eileen Finnegan and Joan Balance; and sister-in-law, Eileen Reese. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Clayton and McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road, Route 524, Freehold Township. Relatives and friends may gather at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home for a rite of committal, followed by an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Chapel, North Main Street, Farmingdale. Interment will follow at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Adelphia Fire Company, P.O. Box 125, Adelphia, NJ 07710. For directions, information or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.