Joe Finn :Local Irish legend dies

Local Irish legend dies

SARAH WEBSTER
STAFF WRITER

The Jersey Shore said goodbye to one of its Irish legends.

Irish singer-performer Joe Finn, 66, of Avon died this morning at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch. He was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme during the summer.

Glioblastoma multiforme is the same type of brain tumor that U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy is battling, said Finn's son Joe Jr.

"Honestly he was a great person, he lived a good life,'' said Joe Finn Jr. of his father. "He was a dear friend to a lot of people, and a lot of people we don't even know.''

Finn was an Irish entertainer primarily here in the Jersey Shore for the past 45
years, Finn Jr. said.

"We lived in Avon since 1972,'' he said. "He has eight kids, and 18 grandchildren.
His children all went to Saint Rose in Belmar.''

Finn started performing music in the 60's, playing at places such as the Norwood Inn in Avon, the Key Note in Sea Girt, Jimmie Burns' Sea Girt Inn, and the Student Prince in Asbury Park.

He often played Neil Diamond music, and traditional Irish Folk music, his son said.

He also performed at places such as the Crab's Claw Inn in Lavallette on St. Patrick's Day.

"He is a true Irish Jersey Shore legend,'' said Kyle Brendle, house promoter at
the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Finn was king of the happy hour, Brendle said.

"He was famous for greeting his audience with "hello folks,'' Brendle said, laugh
ing. "And they would all reply back to him, "hello Joe.''

Finn was also the golf coach at Saint Rose for 20 years, and he coached the
grammar school basketball team for years, Finn Jr. said.

There is going to be a public viewing on Tuesday, from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Church, in Avon. The funeral mass will be Wednesday morning about 10:30 a.m. at Saint Rose Church, in Belmar.

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