Obituary of Matthew Finnegan

Matthew John Finnegan, 85, of Freehold Township, died Thursday, March 5, 2009, at Monmouth Crossings, Freehold Township. Mr. Finnegan was born in Brooklyn and had lived in Woodside, Queens before moving to Freehold Township in 2002. He was the ninth of 10 children. He was in electrical sales for Graybar Electric, Long Island City, N.Y. He was a parishioner, a member of the Parish Council and a lector at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Woodside. Mr. Finnegan was active in the Choir, his baritone voice placed him in great demand as a soloist for weddings, radio and family gatherings. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Hudson Council #3701, Woodside. Mr. Finnegan was an Army Air Corps veteran, serving in the Philippines during World War II. In 1946, he was elected the first commander of the Catholic War Veterans, Post 870, Woodside. He was member of Local 3 of the Electrical Workers Union, New York. He was predeceased by his wife, D. Claire Waring Finnegan, in 1984. Surviving are three children and their spouses, Matthew Finnegan of Hingham, Mass., Deborah Henry of Freehold Township, and Susan Cox of Manahawkin; six grandchildren, Deborah Colleen, Kimberly, James, Robert, Matthew, and William; and a sister, Kathryn Smithline of Brick. Visiting hours will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2009 at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township. Family and friends may gather at 8 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2009 for the Rite of Committal, followed by his 11:15 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Woodside Avenue and 58th Street, Woodside, N.Y. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Queens, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Matthews's name may be made to either the Catholic War Veterans Post 870, 39-46 61 St., Woodside, NY 11377, or to the St. Sebastians Girls Brigade, 39-60 57th St., Woodside, NY 11377, and would be appreciated. For directions, information or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.