Joseph F. Finelli, M.D.

Joseph F. Finelli, M.D., passed away peacefully on Thursday surrounded by his family. Joe was born in Cleveland, Ohio and after graduating from high school there, enlisted in the Marines. He served in the Pacific theater during World War II with the Night Fighters, fought in the Battle of Okinawa, and was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. When he returned from the war he earned a BS degree at Kent State University. He then earned an MD degree at the University Of Rochester School Of Medicine, where he met the love of his life, a nursing student named Rose Mary Fallico. He married Rose and moved to Syracuse to finish his residency and start his family. After completing his residency in urology at Upstate Medical Center, he went into private practice in Syracuse. During his forty years of practice, he was loyal to his hospital, Saint Joseph’s, and his many, many adoring patients. But despite his heavy patient load and busy surgery schedule, he always made time for his family. He came home for lunch every day and presided over dinner every night. Work and play, every activity was a family affair. Fishing, gardening, going to the farm, household repairs- always with a kid or two (or six) in tow. He was a great dad. He loved to hunt pheasant and partridge with friends and family and even with Rosie. He trained a series of hunting dogs, starting with his beloved Brittany, Rusty. And he enjoyed going to Cleveland to visit all his relatives there, to whom he was greatly devoted.

He had a special affinity for Italian opera, and would blast it through his outside speakers as he worked in the garden or barbequed in the back yard. And he loved to laugh. A big, slowly building, noisy laugh, so uncontrollable that he often couldn’t finish the punch line. But the real love of his life was Rose. They were so in love always. She was his best friend, his partner, his office nurse, his travel companion and fellow nature-lover. Together, they raised the children, saw patients, traveled, gardened, explored life and amused each other to no end. They loved to go to The Met to see the opera. They spent many wonderful winters in Naples, Fla., which became their special home away from home. Rose died three years ago. All who knew them feel great comfort today knowing they are no longer apart.

Joe was predeceased by his daughter, Joanna. He is survived by his sons, Dr. Joseph Finelli Jr. (Colleen) of Syracuse, Dr. Fred Finelli (Tori) of Bethesda, MD, and Bill Finelli (Nancy) of Schenectady, NY; his daughters, Cia Holmes (Bill) of Fairport, NY, Cathy Hayden (Dick) of Camillus and Maria Secor (Steve Blind) of Syracuse; his sister, Theresa Correll of Deerfield Beach, Florida and 16 beloved grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, who lit up his life.

Funeral services will be held on Monday at 9:15 a.m. at FARONE & SON FUNERAL HOME and 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Pompei/St. Peter Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home, 1500 Park Street, Syracuse.

The family would like to thank the staff of At Home Independent Living Services and the staff of Elderwood for the wonderful, professional and compassionate care they gave to Joe during his final illness.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, http://www.sjhsyr.org/foundation or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, https://donate.lls.org/lls/donate.