Thomas Finucane

Thomas Finucane, 85, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, died from complications of multiple myeloma on Friday, October 2, at Mercy House, Chambersburg.

Tom was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, in August, 1941, and lived his early life in Chester, Pennsylvania. As a teenager his family moved to Chambersburg after the Sputnik crisis because the federal government relocated some employees, including Tom’s father, from Philadelphia to Chambersburg, where they might survive a nuclear attack on major cities and ensure government continuity. Tom fell in love with the Chambersburg area and would live most of his life there.

Tom graduated from Chambersburg Area Senior High School in 1960. He continued his education at Georgetown University (1964), and Georgetown University Law School (1968), after which he returned to Chambersburg with his young family to join the established law practice of Wingerd & Long. Later he practiced with the Finucane Law Office, and finally with Salzmann Hughes, P.C.

Tom began his legal career as--in his words--a “country lawyer” representing local clients on all types of matters. He increasingly focused on municipal law and, in 1985, was appointed Borough Solicitor for Chambersburg, a position he held for decades. Throughout his career he was a tireless advocate for his clients and especially enjoyed finding creative solutions to complex problems. He retired in 2014.

Tom was an active volunteer for many causes in the community, including years as Chair of the Easter Seals Board, President of the Franklin County Bar Association, and service on the Board of the Arc of Franklin County, the Hawbaker Nature Trust, the Conococheague Institute, and as a Rotarian.

While fighting multiple myeloma for the past 11 years, Tom remained active. He proudly stayed fit with twice-weekly workouts and enjoyed long walks with his family. He was interested in history, particularly the local history of Franklin and Fulton counties. He was a voracious reader of books, magazines, and newspapers, always keeping up to date on current events locally, nationally, and around the world. He enjoyed being out and about in the community, and remained a regular at the Historic Texas Lunch, his favorite lunch spot since 1968. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, who are grateful for his love, guidance, dedication, and wisdom.

Tom is survived by his wife of 39 years, Susan Palmer Finucane, as well as four children, Thomas, of Chambersburg, Eileen (Doug Bricker), of Chambersburg, Brendan Patrick (Christian Patrick), of Seattle, and Sean (Jessica Atha) of Waynesboro; five grandchildren, Abigale Bricker, Loudon Bricker, Lynse Finucane, Henry Atha-Finucane, and Bennett Atha-Finucane; and four siblings, James Finucane (Gunilla), Michael Finucane (Mary), Brendan Finucane (Anne), and Eileen Finucane Stouffer (Dale). He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Helen Finucane, and his son Daniel Finucane.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 on Friday, October 9 at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Rd., Chambersburg, PA 17202. He will be interred at the cemetery at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, in Orrtanna, in a private ceremony. The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St Vincent De Paul Ministry (c/o Corpus Christi Church, 320 Philadelphia Ave, Chambersburg, PA 17201), Conococheague Institute (12995 Bain Road, Mercersburg, PA 17236), or Mercy House (730 Norland Ave, Chambersburg, PA 17201).

Online condolences may be expressed at geiselfuneralhome.com.