James Finnegan

James A. Finnegan (Jimmy / Jim), age 80, of Shoreline, Washington passed away at home on June 25, 2017. Born in Philadelphia in 1936, he was always proud of his West Philly roots (54th and Lancaster) and often shared stories of his time at Saint Gregory's School and Saint Thomas More High School (class of '54) especially time spent playing sports with his friends and eating soft pretzels and hoagies. After starting night school at Saint Joseph's in Philadelphia on the advice of his boss, he became a lifelong student and teacher. He earned two master's degrees; one in Theology from Marquette University and one in Psychology from Western Michigan University. He also earned a PhD in Theology from Saint Michael's College in the University of Toronto. He went on to teach at the University of Windsor (Canada), Canisius College (Buffalo, NY), Nazareth College (Kalamazoo, MI) and numerous community colleges in Michigan. He also worked as a psychologist at Cass County Mental Health and other clinics in Michigan. During his time in the Midwest he learned he loved to sail, ski and visit the local health club. After living much of his adult life in Michigan and Indiana, he returned to the Philadelphia area to live in retirement. During this time, he was able to connect with family and friends and rekindle his fanaticism for the Phillies. In 2015, he moved to the Seattle area so his daughter could provide additional support as he aged. While he sailed and skied as long as he could, he enjoyed watching Phillies games and his time at the health club until the very end. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Margaret (nee McDonough) and sister Betty. He is survived by his son Sean Finnegan and wife Maureen, daughter Michele Finnegan and partner Stephen Barrett, sister Margaret Ann Donovan (Jack), brother Jack (Irene), grandchildren Andrew, Tommy and Katie, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends made in Pennsylvania, the Midwest and Washington. A celebration of his life will be held in Michigan at a later date and in the Philadelphia area in November. Becks Funeral Home