Francis X. Finegan Jr.

Much loved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Francis X. Finegan Jr., known to all as Frank, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2020, surrounded and supported by his family. A longtime member of St. Theresa’s Parish and resident of New Cumberland, and more recently Camp Hill, Frank lived a life notable for his steadfast devotion to family, faith, community, and country.

Born on August 3, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Francis X. Sr. and Lucy (McLaverty) Finegan, Frank grew up during the Great Depression in the Fairmount neighborhood of the city, known for its row houses and churches, as well as its tight streets and taverns. The hard working people of the area formed his background while the adjacent Schuylkill River, Fairmount Park, and the steps of the Museum of Art supplied him with a playground. A proud alum of Roman Catholic High School and La Salle University, Frank was an outstanding athlete and teammate at both alma maters. His athletic ability in two sports earned him a scholarship to college, where he would go on to captain the La Salle Explorers baseball team and be a member of the 1954 NCAA National Champion basketball team.

In the mid-1950s, Frank served in the United States Navy on the USS Iowa, deployed on cruises to Cuba, across the Atlantic Ocean, and throughout the Mediterranean. His time in various ports of call were usually spent competing on the ship’s baseball and basketball squads against international teams.

Following his service, Frank was a teacher and coach at Bishop Shanahan High School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, before embarking on a career in law enforcement. He was sworn in as a Special Agent with the Naval Investigative Services on the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and worked for more than 25 years in the U.S. Defense Department, earning commendations and praise for his efforts, especially those in service to the mission of the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Frank then spent another decade as an Investigator for the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission, drawn to the new agency’s mission of ensuring the public’s confidence in state and local government.

In retirement, Frank focused on his family and traveling with the light of his life and wife of 56 years, Margaret Sullivan Finegan (Peggy) – including visits to his three favorite islands of Bermuda, Malta, and Ireland – and cheering on the many athletic and artistic efforts of his grandchildren. He loved the ocean and gathering with family and friends in Cape May, New Jersey, as well as St. Simon Island, Georgia. Frank remained a passionate fan of college basketball and spent many summer evenings tuned into a Phillies baseball game to see if his favorite team could pull out a win.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy; as well as his sons, Kevin and John (wife, Holly Thomas), all of Camp Hill; daughter, Meghan of Boston, MA; and son, Patrick (wife, Tracy) of Swedesboro, NJ. He will be carried forward in the hearts of the next generation of Finegans: granddaughters, Brenna and Aidan; and grandsons, Kieran, Liam, and Declan, who knew him as a ready source of loving embraces and a piece of candy. Frank is also survived by his sister, Barbara Hare of Philadelphia, her three children and their families. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Lucy Muldowney, of Ocean City, NJ.

A private graveside service will be held in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA. A celebration of Francis X. Finegan’s life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to LaSalle University Athletics or Trinity High School (see information below).