Francis Finnel

Rochester NH-Frank C. Finnel, 92, formerly of Oak Street in Gonic, NH died Thursday September 29, 2011 at the Colonial Hill Nursing Home. Frank was born on a farm on October 2, 1918 in Kauwakee WI. He was the son of the late Samuel and Mamie (Keehan) Finnel. Frank graduated from Denmark High School and also from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Wisconsin. He majored in mechanical engineering. He was employed by Westinghouse Electric Corp in Pittsburg, PA for 39 years. While working at Westinghouse he was stationed to two divisions - the jet engine facility in Philadelphia and the missile facility in California. 1946 to 1950 he was a west coast representative, during such time he was a member of the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Military Affairs Committee. In 1950 he was assigned to the east coast area and in that same year made the Mediterranean cruise aboard the USS Coral Sea. In 1951 he made the South American cruise aboard the USS Oriskany including the voyage around Cape Horn and an assignment to the USS Kearsarge which included a tour of duty in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War and returned to NAS in Jacksonville, FL. In 1960 he was transferred to the Westinghouse missile division and assigned to the electric boat co of Groton CT where he was employed for 12 years. In 1972 he transferred to Portsmouth Naval Ship Yard retiring in 1982. Frank has been a member of the Elks Lodges since 1962 having become a life member in 1992. He enjoyed his time working with the Youth of America which included sponsoring girl's softball teams for 9 years. In 1983 he became the lead sponsor of the Eastside T-ball program which lead to having a baseball field named in his honor in 2010 for being a major contributor to the Eastside T-ball program at the Roger Allen Baseball field. He was also inducted into the Rochester hall of Fame. Members of his family include his daughter Robin Wilson of Tallahassee FL, his grandchildren Harmony Church of Tallahassee, FL; Kurtis Wilson of Sacramento, CA; Bradley Wilson of Jacksonville FL, a great grandchild, Cason Todd of Tallahassee FL and a long time companion Ellie Brown of Rochester. He is predeceased by his wife Betty (Sprowl) Finnel. Calling hours will be held Monday 2-4 and 6-8 at the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St, Rochester NH 03867. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 1pm in the St Leo Church, Main St in Gonic. Burial will be in the Mont Calvaire Cemetery on Cemetery Rd in Gonic following the mass.