Of North Andover, MA, a long-time educator, John L. "Jack" Finneran passed away on December 24, 2016. A lifelong resident of North Andover, John was 91.
John graduated Phillips Academy in 1943 and proceeded to earn a degree at Harvard University followed by a Ph.D. in Science. For many years he worked alongside his father and brother at Finneran's Pharmacy -founded in 1926 on Main Street, North Andover. John continued the family tradition of service to the community by teaching at Johnson High School and Winchester High School. He was a founding member of Northern Essex Community College in 1961, being one of the first faculty and eventually retiring as Professor Emeritus of Natural Sciences. He was particularly proud of his role in cleaning up the Merrimack River as a member of the Merrimack River Watershed Council. He was a lifelong and dedicated parishioner of St. Michael's Church where he served as an usher for close to 70 years. He was also a Secular Franciscan and served as a Provincial of the Third Order. He also volunteered many years of service to the recently-closed Franciscan Friary in Andover, MA. John also held the honor of being the world’s number one Red Sox’s fan !
John was an inspiration to his family, and friends, especially Billy and Heather Fahey and their children, Summer (his God Daughter), Colton, Solana and Nevada. In his later years he enjoyed a true friendship with Moe Downey with whom he shared many adventures, laughs and great stories. He leaves many nieces and nephews including John Finneran of Indianapolis, Joseph Finneran and his wife Martha of Indianapolis, Mary Finneran of Portales, NM, Tom and Maureen Finneran of Hardeeville, SC and Steve and Reene Finneran of Cicero, IN.
He is also survived by his sister in law, Patricia A. (Hay) Finneran of Andover, MA and her children and extended family, William A. Finneran Jr. and his wife Jill Finneran of Andover, MA., Nancy Walke and her husband Paul Walke of Danvers, MA., Daniel Finneran of Andover, MA., Joanne Hoff and her husband Robert Hoff of Andover, MA., Patricia A.M. Finneran of Washington, DC. He was predeceased by his brothers William Finneran, Joseph Finneran and Robert Finneran.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at Saint Michael's Church in North Andover, MA. Burial will follow at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in North Andover, MA. Family and friends may call on Monday, January 2, 2017 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 35 Merrimack Street, North Andover, MA. For online condolences and other information please visit us at www.breenfuneralhome.com.