Maurice S. Finnigan's Obituary
Former Tacoma Deputy Mayor Maurice S. (Mo) Finnigan passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Saturday morning, May 23, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mo was born in Tacoma on March 27, 1917, to Peter and Ethelwyn Finnigan. He was predeceased by his parents, his beloved wife of 54 years, Lucile (1994), the daughter of former Washington Lt. Governor and Past Grand Exalted Ruler Emmett T. Anderson and wife Lucile; and his brothers Dayton (2002) and Albert (2003). Mo was a faithful servant to his family, church, business, and community. Mo was raised in Tacoma and attended Franklin Elementary, Jason Lee Middle School, and Stadium High School (1935). He attended the University of Washington. Mo left school to begin a 44-year professional career with the National Blower and Sheet Metal Company, a steel and metal fabrication business founded by his father, in the Tacoma tide flats. His early working years were interrupted with service to his country. He proudly served in the Navy overseas and then in the Navy Reserve, that led to his recall into the Korean War. He was a great patriot. When his father Peter unexpectedly died in 1953, Mo and his older brother Dayton succeeded their father managing the family business and together grew the company into a very successful business for several decades. Mo followed his father-in-law's passion for the B.P.O.E. fraternal organization (Elks #174), through his devoted service, that ultimately led to his position of Exalted Ruler of the Tacoma Lodge in 1959. Mo was later awarded the distinction of All- American Exalted Ruler at the national ritualistic competition in Dallas, Texas. He was on the steering and building committees for the relocation of the Lodge at its current site in 1965. Mo was one of the longest standing members of the Tacoma Lodge, of over 70 years, at the time of his death. In 1962, a local "United Citizens Committee for Sound City Government" asked Mo to run on a slate for a position on the Tacoma City Council. He ultimately served the citizens of Tacoma until 1971, the last two years as Deputy Mayor. During his more than nine years of service, Mo represented the Council as a member of the Human Rights Commission and the Civic Arts Commission during the formative years of both commissions. In 1972, Mo was asked to become a Director of the new Tacoma Commercial Bank. He valued the experience of being on the ground level of a start-up bank and contributing to its growth. The Bank of Tacoma, as it was later called, was eventually acquired by West One Bank, which was later acquired by U.S. Bancorp. Mo also was a dedicated servant of his church, first at Christ Episcopal Church in Tacoma, where he served on the Church Vestry, and then at St. Joseph-St. John Episcopal Church in Lakewood. Mo served on many civic boards and committees. He especially enjoyed the experience as a charter member of the Daffoldillians and the valued relationships of his friends in the Fridalopians group. Mo and Lucile traveled extensively around the world. They enjoyed many adventures together, especially their time at their condo on the oceanfront in Maui. He loved to read, always trying to expand his knowledge. Mo was an avid bowler and golfer. He especially was thrilled to have achieved two holes-in-one, on the same hole twenty years apart. Mo leaves behind to celebrate his memory, his daughter Kathleen Brooke of Littleton, Colorado, and grandson Stephen (wife Kimberly), and great granddaughters Elise, Taylor, and Lexi, of Littleton, and granddaughter Julie, also of Littleton; daughter Libby Nielsen of Bellevue, granddaughter Kristen McSherry (husband Bill), and great granddaughter Lucy of Bellevue, and granddaughter Kimberly Darrin (husband Jim), of Woodinville; and his son Stephen Finnigan (wife Eileen), grandson Ryan (wife Kristin), great granddaughters Courtney and Sophie, and great- grandson Luke, of Gig Harbor; grandson Jason (wife Aimee), and great granddaughters Hailey and Maddie, of North Bend, Oregon; and grandson Andrew, (wife Brooke), of Tacoma. He loved his family very much. Every year on our birthdays, our Dad, Grandpa, Great grandpa would send us $100 plus a dollar for each year of age. He loved hearing about how we spent it. The family would like to express their appreciation for the dedicated staff from the Franciscan Hospice, his oncology specialists, Moacyr Oliveira and Nathan Bittner, and special care given to our father by Brandi Ivey, of Sound Options. The family would also like to acknowledge the support and loving friendship of Father Dick French. In lieu of flowers, Mo would like donations to go to the Franciscan Hospice, Washington Elks Therapy Program, and/or the American Cancer Society . A memorial service with communion will be held Friday, May 29th at 2PM at Christ Episcopal Church, 310 North K Street, Tacoma, WA. 98403. A reception celebrating Mo's life will be held at 3:15 Friday , May 29th, at Fircrest Golf Club, 1500 Regents Blvd., Fircrest, Wa., 98466.
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