FINELLI, JOHN E.
John Ernest Finelli Sr., 95, of East Stroudsburg, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, Jan. 26, 2017 at the Pleasant Valley Manor. He was the loving husband of the late Annie (Skriver) Finelli with whom he shared 36 years of marriage before her passing.
Born on April 8, 1921 in Bronx, New York he was the son of the late Florence (Bolla) Busa, and the stepson of the late William Guido Busa.
John was the president of the 1939 class of Bogota High School in New Jersey, where he was also a charter member of the athletic hall of fame, and voted a New Jersey All State High School Football player. He continued on to attend the Horace Mann School, Bronx, New York, then received a full scholarship to Temple University for football in 1940.
After college John enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1941. As a member of the 3rd Raider Battalion he fought during World War II in the Solomon Islands, including Guadalcanal. After the war, he graduated from John Marshall Law School in 1948. John later became the founder and president of the John E. Finelli Realty Company, Teaneck, New Jersey. He was a New Jersey basketball official alongside the late Vince Lombardi, and head football coach at the Horace Mann School. He instructed continuing education classes on real estate at Bergen Community College, Jersey City State, Farleigh Dickinson University, and Fordham University. He was a proud former commander of Kemp American Legion Post, presenter of Marine Corps Youth Foundation Fitness Awards, J.M. Hill Elementary School, a presenter of American Legion Awards at JTL Intermediate School, all in East Stroudsburg. John was also a lifetime member of the Raider Association, the Marine Corps League and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Loved ones who will cherish his memory include: son, John E. Finelli Jr. and his bride, Lisa, and their children, Christopher Finelli and Katie Finelli and her fiancé, Devin Pryor; as well as son-in-law, Thomas F. Hudson and his children, Janet Hudson McTurk and Rick McTurk and John and Michiko Hudson. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Mia Hudson, 7, and Mei Hudson, 2.
In addition to his wife and parents, John had been preceded in death by his loving daughter, Carolyn Finelli Hudson.
A public visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at the Lanterman & Allen Funeral Home Inc., 27 Washington St., East Stroudsburg. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers it was John’s wish to have memorial contributions be made to the Salvation Army, 226 Washington St. East Stroudsburg PA 18301
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Lanterman & Allen Funeral Home, 27 Washington St. East Stroudsburg PA, 18301.