BANGOR – James “Jay” I. Finnigan, 93, passed away peacefully April 22, 2011, at the Maine Veterans Home, Scarborough, at the “top of the morning,” which was his trademark greeting, as well as his favorite time of day. A lifelong, proud resident of Bangor, Jay was born Oct. 4, 1917, to Owen J. and Madolyn T. Finnigan.
Jay graduated from Bangor High School and attended Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. Before and after returning from naval service in World War II, Jay worked at Merchants National Bank, where he worked in time sales and ascended to vice president. Jay was proud that loans he authorized helped start some of Bangor’s best-known small businesses at that time. But the best thing about the banking business was that was how he met the love of his life, his wife, Mary (Dealy). Shortly after World War II broke out, Jay enlisted in the Navy. Prior to shipping off to the South Pacific, Jay and Mary wed and honeymooned in Daytona Beach, Fla. He and Mary were married for 45 years before her death in 1988. Jay rarely spoke of his time in the War. Knowing his country needed him, he performed his duty well as a medical assistant. One thing he mentioned many years later was that he and his shipmates aboard the USS LST 740 were among those who accompanied Gen. Douglas MacArthur when he landed on the Philippines shore and fulfilled his famous promise “I shall return,” which was captured on the cover of Life magazine. After the war, Jay and Mary raised their four children whom he loved dearly and was so proud of. Not an athlete, when he had a heart attack at age 56, Jay took up golf with great enthusiasm, even hitting a hole-in-one. He regularly played at Bangor Municipal Golf Course, Bucksport Golf Club and Penobscot Valley Country Club, where he also served as treasurer for many years after his retirement. Also in retirement, Jay volunteered his talents at St. Joseph Hospital and delivered Meals on Wheels. The place where he felt most at peace and spent many happy times was at his camp on Verona Island, which was built by his grandfather. He hosted many cribbage and poker parties for close friends and family. He once won a cribbage game with a 29, the highest hand possible, which is a rarity. He kept those cards as a reminder – and as proof – since he was a great storyteller. He also enjoyed time of quiet reflection, appreciating the natural surroundings along the mighty Penobscot River and nearby Penobscot Bay. As a young man he witnessed the construction of the Waldo-Hancock Bridge, which connected Verona to the mainland at Prospect. He later marveled at the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge and the panoramic view from the top of the tower, which he visited with his son, Peter, shortly after it opened in 2007, and which he continued to talk about long after the trek to the top. Jay thoroughly enjoyed playing cribbage with his son, Tim. In recent years they played so often that Jay thought they might be entered into the Guinness Book of World Records. In addition to playing cribbage, which kept his mind sharp, Jay was a lifelong learner with a keen sense of curiosity. He was a voracious reader and he kept up on current events by faithfully reading the Bangor Daily News each day, in addition to other periodicals, as well as mystery and detective novels. Jay had a mischievous and feisty side, and he liked to poke fun to get a smile out of people. He had an indomitable spirit, which helped him endure. Proud of his Irish heritage, Jay was an amiable conversationalist with a quick wit. Those who truly knew Jay, knew he was a shy man, with a kind heart that was full of compassion and a deep ethical sense of justice for others. Jay wanted to leave the world a better place, which he did for all who knew him.
In addition to his parents; his wife, Mary; and later his wife, Barbara (Harrison), he was predeceased by his sisters, Norma Finnigan and Barbara Finnigan; and his brother, David Finnigan. Jay is survived by his children, Mary “Mickie” Finnigan of Arlington, Mass., Peter Finnigan of Higganum, Conn., Patricia Finnigan of Portland and Timothy Finnigan of York; granddaughters, Deborah Finnigan and her husband, Don Bellunduno, of Charlotte, Vt., and Rebecca Bonawitz and her husband, Greg, of Schwenksville, Pa.; and six great-grandchildren, William, Jamie, Abigail, Joshua, Gavin and Kiera. Jay’s family expresses their heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional and compassionate care he received from the staff of Maine Veterans Home, Scarborough, and the joy and good natured sense of fun they shared with him.
A memorial service will be held when summer breezes return to Verona. Those who wish may make donations in Jay’s memory to the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine, P.O. Box 7830, Portland, ME 04112 and Maine Veterans Home Residents Activity Fund, 290 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04072. Arrangements are under the guidance of Independent Death Care, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland. To offer words of condolence to the family, sign a guest book and share memories, please visit the obituary page at
www.independentdeathcare.com.