Eugene R. Finley
February 23, 1934 - February 08, 2017
Obituary
MADISON/WAUNAKEE –Eugene "Gene" Finley, age 82, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017. He was born on Feb. 23, 1934, in Janesville, Wis., the son of Raymond H. and Margaret Irene (Martin) Finley. Gene graduated from Edgewood High School in 1952, attended UW-Madison from 1952-54, then entered the U.S. Navy and served on board the USS Norfolk. After the military, he graduated from UW Platteville in 1959. Gene taught History and English and coached many sports at Elmwood, Hillsboro, Madison Central and Lafollette High Schools. He was passionate about sports, an accomplished athlete, and was proud to have played football for the 1954 Wisconsin Badgers. During the summers, he lifeguarded for the city of Madison beaches and enjoyed some great travel trailer camping adventures with his family. Gene served as President of the Shamrock Club and was voted Irishman of the Year. He was a Lifetime Member of the Knights of Columbus and Madison Elks Club 410 and also VFW Post No. 8483. He was an active Elks Club Hoop Shoot volunteer and long-time member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Gene was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and loved family get-togethers, especially if they included a Badger or Packer game. Gene is survived by his children, Patrick (Barbara) Finley, Ann Finley, Daniel (Lynn) Finley and Timothy (Rae-Anne) Finley; grandchildren, Sean, Elizabeth, Devin, Colleen and William; former wife, Deanna; brother, Robert (Arlene) and sisters, Eileen (Gil) Kania and Margaret Wilson; special friend, Gene Lord; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, with Father Chad Droessler officiating. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held on Monday, Feb.13, 2017, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, and also 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday at the church. The family wishes to thank Waunakee Manor, St. Mary's Hospital and Agrace HospiceCare for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Gene to, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church or School, Madison Elk's Club 410 Charities, and Agrace HospiceCare. A Gaelic Farewell to Dad. May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rain fall softly upon your fields until we meet again, And may God hold you in the hollow of his hand. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Mon Feb 13, 2017 @ 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Visitation
Tue Feb 14, 2017 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Monona • 5101 Schofield St., Monona, WI 53716
Mass of Christian Burial
Tue Feb 14, 2017 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Monona • 5101 Schofield St., Monona, WI 53716
Photos
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Memories
BM
Brian Mullins
Other •
Mr. Finley, as I and all of my Madison Central Junior High classmates called him, was liked and adored as our teacher. He was amazing. He touched and changed the lives of his students in a powerfully positive way. Most of us have teachers that we remember who deserve recognition and credit for many of the successes in our lives. Mr. Finley was one of those for me. During the 48 years since my last class with him I have thought about him regularly, along with his co-teachers such as Mr. Risser, Mr. Roberts, Miss Walker, and others, and how extraordinarily lucky I was to have him as one of my teachers. My Finley converted ordinary students into extraordinary students in a quiet, magical way. All we knew was that his class was interesting and fun, and he was a nice teacher, a nice person, who cared about his students. That was a powerful combination. He changed the lives of his students for the better. I cannot praise him enough. I cannot thank him enough. God bless you Mr. Finley.
Brian Mullins
SR
Sr. Virginia (Ginny) Ripp
Other •
May our compassionate God grant our dear classmate, Gene, eternal rest. He and the family are in my thoughts and prayers. His obituary is a tribute to his wonderful involvement in community affairs on many levels.
Sr. Ginny Ripp
MH
Mark Hanson
Other •
Pat,
I am so sorry to hear of the death of your father. My sincere condolences to you and Barb. May you always have wonderful memories with you.
Take care - Mark Hanson