Bernard "Ben" Joseph Finneran Jr.

He was born November 23, 1947, in Louisville to parents Bernard Joseph Finneran Sr. of Midway

and Bettie Blackburn Finneran of Versailles. He was preceded in death by his father and sister, Peggy Finneran.

Ben completed grade school at St Edwards’s parish and graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1965. He was awarded a degree in Business and Accounting from the University of Kentucky in 1969. While at UK he was a founding member and executive officer of the Theta Chi Fraternity. During his post graduate studies he worked for Dixie Bell Dairy in Lexington and then Southern Bell Dairy of Somerset. Within a year after his marriage to UK graduate Debra Brown of Fairfield, Ohio, he moved his family back to his Louisville to take the position of VP of Operations for Oscar Ewing Dairy. He was promoted to VP of Marketing for Convenient Food Marts and then promoted to VP of National Sales when the company was acquired by Dairy Mart.

Ben believed in sharing his time and talents in service to his community. He was a member of St. Albert the Great Parish since 1976 and faithfully worked the summer picnic booths. Other community commitments included serving on the Kentucky Derby Festival Board and Executive Committee for over 20 years. He served on the first advisory board for The Kentucky Lottery and was involved with many local charities including Wayside Christian Mission and Dare to Care.

Following his 1998 retirement from Dairy Mart, Ben continued to work as a business consultant and pursue personal interests that included spending time on Lake Cumberland, houseboating and serving as the Commodore for Somerset Boat Club. As a lifelong CAT fan and UK Alumni Association member, Ben enjoyed tailgating at home games, and spur of the moment trips to away games with a never ceasing hope for a winning football season. He loved to travel with his beloved wife Debi whether it was spending winter time in Vero Beach, Florida, or driving across Europe. He was always looking forward to the next adventure.

Ben truly lived life to the fullest, always upbeat and looking for the next fun thing. His most valuable life’s treasures were his faith, his family and his wide circle of “Ben” fans.

He will be deeply missed by all he loved so much.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Debra (Brown) Finneran; son, Brian Finneran (Rosa Pena Finneran); his mother, Bettie Finneran (Lowery Crews); two nephews, Scott Lyverse (Sarah) and Jeremy Lyverse; and his mother-in-law, Virginia Brown Starr.

Visitation will be held from 1-4 PM on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, at Arch L. Heady & Son at Westport Village, 7410 Westport Rd. Louisville, KY. A wake will be held from 5-8pm on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017 at Hunting Creek Country Club, 6907 Foxcroft Rd., Prospect, KY. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:30 AM on Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 1395 Girard Drive, Louisville, KY. Burial will follow at Versailles Cemetery, Versailles, KY.

In lieu of customary expressions, the family requests donations to the Healing Place or Masonic Homes of Kentucky.

Please visit www.archlheadywestport.com to leave a condolence for the family.