Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Gerald Thomas Finerty was born on October 13, 1925 in Ballinasloe County Galway, Ireland. He was the youngest of 4 children. They lived in a home with a thatched roof, no running water, no electricity and a big fireplace for heating and cooking. He and his siblings would take turns walking to the water pump each day to get water for the home. He walked 3 miles to school and when he returned home, he and the family would work on the farm til dusk, eat supper, do homework and finally go to bed.
At the age of 14, he left home and went to join the Alexian Brother Congregation, a Catholic order who dedicate their lives to care of the poor and ill. Through the Alexian Brothers, my father received his education and training to become a registered nurse. He stayed in the order for 19 and ½ years living in London, New Jersey and Tennessee working in the hospitals affiliated with the Order. With prayer and contemplation, he left the Brothers and moved on to the next phase of his life.
He arrived in Detroit in 1961 and soon after, met a young lady named Mary Frances Carroll, also an R.N., at a fundraising dance for the Pallotine Fathers at the Bonnie Brook Country Club. They married in 1963 and moved to Dearborn where they raised a son, Gerard, and daughter, Mary, who also became R.N.s. Dad then worked for General Motors as an Occupational Health Nurse for 27 years retiring in 1991 with a perfect attendance record.
Although he never missed a day’s work, dad always made time for his family. He loved family trips including some visits to Ireland, camping, spending time at the cottage in Lexington, swimming in Lake Huron, having a bonfire and watching the stars, or gong on family walk as we did every day after dinner growing up. Dad loved to be outside and being active. He would play street hockey or catch for hours at a time with us and the kids in the neighborhood. He loved hockey especially the Red Wings and went to many games both home and away. My friends would come to our house just to watch my dad watch a hockey game. My mom would run around and close the windows because my dad would be shouting and the yelling at the TV if his team scored or the other team took a penalty. He also loved Gaelic Football and traveled to see many games and he loved his Galway Hurling Team.
Upon retiring, dad and mom continued to travel to many countries, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Bosnia, the Panama Canal, Canadian Rockies and most of the United States. Of course, Ireland was always on the travel agenda. He went to church every day that he could and prayed for 3 hours a day for everyone in his life. He volunteered at the church and helped family, friends and neighbors in any way that he could.
Dad adored my mother and treasured his family and friends. Now that he has passed to eternal life, he has rejoined all his family and friends who have gone before him. As Irish luck would have it, his funeral service was held on Saint Patrick’s Day. He was probably the Grand Marshall of Heaven’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade.
Dad, even though you have gone home to God, your love, kindness, mercy, Irish wit, humor and humility will be forever in our hearts and in our minds. You touched the lives of many here on earth and you will truly be missed. Our daily conversations will continue because you will always be with us. As your son, you have given me the perfect example of what it means to be a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Until we meet again dad, my God hold you close as you and the other Angels dance among the Heavens. I Love you.
