James J. Finnegan, Jr.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years; Grace Finnegan of Toms River, his sons, Timothy Finnegan (Tara) of Jackson, and Jimmy Finnegan III (Patti) of Toms River;  and an estranged daughter. His Irish spirit will live on in the hearts of his grandchildren, Danielle, Kelli, Tara, Kathleen, Alex and Nicholas, as well as his bonus grandchildren, Samantha, Ashley and Cloe.

Born in Staten Island, NY, he graduated from Augustinian Academy and then joined the United States Marine Corps. Jim and Grace married and resided in Eltingville where they raised their family. Jim attended Staten Island Community College and was captain of the first baseball team at the school. He then went on to achieve his Bachelors Degree at Long Island University on a full baseball scholarship. He was the only college player with a wife and three children at every game.

Jim was employed as recreational director at Mt. Loretto, St. Michael's Home, and Bethlehem's Home before becoming a New York State Parole Officer in 1975.

Jim moved to Toms River New Jersey when he retired from NYS Parole but decided to continue working. He worked at Kimball Medical Center PESS (Psychiatric Emergency Screening Service) Unit. There he made lots of new friends and brought his skill and experience from Parole to the unit and his presence on calls made the entire staff safer. He often calmed situations and talked emotionally disturbed individuals into voluntarily being screened. He worked with many Ocean County police departments when PESS was called to different towns.

Jim enjoyed playing baseball and softball. He played in many leagues including the Staten Island Old Timers and the Berkeley Twsp. Senior softball league. He loved to coach his boys in baseball.  He led "George and Tom's" to an undefeated season in Great Kills Little League. He also coached in Staten Island Kiwanis and the American Legion.

Jim could always be found at OTB or Favorites handicapping the ponies and sipping a beer with ice in it. He loved to talk about being at Belmont Park to see Secretariat's 31 length victory in the final leg of the Triple Crown.

He was a lifetime member of the Richmond County Sportsmen's Club in the Catskill Mountains where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and hiking Graham Mountain.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2023 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, with a service to begin at 6:30pm, at Horizon Funeral & Cremation Services, 1329 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755.

Please don't send flowers. The Finnegan family would prefer you celebrated Jim's memory with a beer of your choice, in a glass of ice.