Joseph Michael Finnegan

Joseph was born in 1931, and raised in Dorchester, MA, the second oldest of nine children. Joe graduated from Boston College High School and went on to receive his B.A. in Economics from Boston College and an MBA from Suffolk University.

A proud veteran of the United States Army, Joe served during the Korean Conflict stationed in Oji, Japan where he made many lifelong friends.

Joseph had a long career with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that spanned nearly four decades. He held positions within the State Legislature, Department of Mental Health, Executive Office of Administration and Finance, and the Board of Regents of Higher Education from which he retired. He went on to offer consulting services to the Mass. Association for Mental Health for an additional five years before retiring to Naples, FL in 1992 where Joe continued his service by volunteering at the NCH emergency room and reading to children at local public schools. He was also active in business and community affairs serving on multiple volunteer boards and committees during his career in Massachusetts.

Joe was an avid sports fan and always cheered for his favorite New England teams, and he loved spending time with his favorite dog and therapy pet, Louie.

Joseph is survived by his beloved wife, Hildegard (Hesse) Finnegan of Naples, FL; two daughters, Michelle Finnegan of Naples, FL, and Heidi (Finnegan) Ellard of Boxford, MA; son-in-law, James V. Ellard, Jr.; three grandsons, James, Joseph, and Michael Ellard; siblings, Eleanora (Finnegan) Golden of Delray Beach, FL, John Finnegan and his wife Elizabeth of Naples, FL, Thomas Finnegan and his wife Donna of Dorchester, MA, Julie (Finnegan) Matzel and her husband Gerhart of Mashpee, MA, Stephen Finnegan and his wife Carol Anne of Milton, MA; brother-in-law, Michael Collins of Marco Island, FL; and nearly two dozen nieces and nephews all whom he loved very much.

Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, Senator Joseph and Julia (Kendrigan) Finnegan; siblings, Anne Finnegan, Patricia (Finnegan) Collins, and David I. Finnegan.

Funeral Services will take place on Monday, January 29, 2018 with a Visitation in the Chapel from 10am-11am and a Service in the Sanctuary at 11am at Emmanuel Lutheran Church (777 Mooring Line Dr., Naples, FL 34102).

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Joseph Finnegan's name to the Joseph M. Finnegan Memorial Scholarship Fund at Boston College High School (150 William T Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125) or to the American Cancer Society (https://donate3.cancer.org/?lang=en).