Submitted by: Dan Rich

John Edwin Finnigan

March 7, 1920 - March 13, 1998

South Bend Tribune 3/15/1998

SOUTH BEND - John Edwin Finnigan, 78, passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's disease on Friday, March 13, at his residence in South Bend, Ind. He was born on March 7, 1920, in Potsdam, N.Y., son of Francis and Mary Ellen (Driscoll) Finnigan. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marilyn (Voors) Finnigan. He is also survived by his seven children, John (Becky) of Minneapolis, Minn., Joe (Janet) of Ypsilanti, Mich., Jim (De'Etta) of Goshen, Ind., Marie (Rich) Wakeman of Lincoln, Neb., Jerome of South Bend, Maura (Doug) Cederdahl of Orem, Utah, and Jeffrey of Midland, Ore.; and by 19 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marie Phillips, and his grandson, Garrett Wakeman.

Jack Finnigan graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1943. He joined the United States Marine Corps where he served as lieutenant during World War II. He returned to Notre Dame and earned his law degree in 1948. He was recalled to the Marine Corps to serve in the Korean Conflict and continued his military career until retirement as a major in 1964. He moved his family to Lincoln, Neb., where he served as chief counsel for the Nebraska State Public Utilities Commission until retiring in 1985. He chose to retire in South Bend to be near the university that he loved. Jack was a devoted husband and father and will be deeply missed by all. He was a devout Catholic and loved and served his God. He was a patriot who loved and fought for his country. He had a deep respect and love for the University of Notre Dame and all that it stands for. Jack never missed a Notre Dame football game.