Joe Finn Funeral Arrangments in Belmar NJ

Joseph Patrick Finn

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Saint Elizabeth's R.C. Church, 424 Lincoln Ave., Avon. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Saint Rose R.C. Church, 603 Seventh Ave., Belmar. Interment will be at Saint Catharine's Cemetery, Sea Girt. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to The Visiting Nurse Association of Central NJ, 176 Riverside Ave., Red Bank, or the Avon First Aid, P.O. Box 2, Avon, NJ 07717, would be greatly appreciated. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Reilly Funeral Home, 801 D Street, Belmar.





JOSEPH PATRICK FINN
AGE: N/A AVON-BY-THE-SEA
Joseph Patrick Finn, of Avon-by-the-Sea passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Saturday, Nov. 22, at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born on April 24, 1942 to Irish immigrants, Catherine Foley Finn and John Joseph Finn, in Jersey City, Joe has lived in Avon for 36 years. Joe's storied career as a much loved Irish singer and troubadour, began at the early age of nineteen. Joe began singing and playing the guitar at the Jersey Shore, where he developed a huge and loyal following over the years. Joe could often be found performing for overflowing fans at various Shore haunts, including the Norwood Inn in Avon-by-the-Sea, the Crab's Claw in Lavallette and many other venues. Proud of and deeply versed in his one-hundred percent Irish heritage, Joe served as the Grand Marshal of the Belmar St. Patrick's Day Parade in 1994, and was honored as "Irishman of the Year" by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in 2004. Joe taught many over the years to appreciate both the well known and the obscure Irish songs he held so dear. At his performances, Joe greeted all of his fans, new and old alike, with the engaging salutation, "Hello, Folks!" to which the entire crowd would respond in a deafening "Hello, Joe!" All fans participated in a Joe Finn show, whether it was children or the young at heart miming through "The Unicorn Song," or a rousing sing-a-long of "You've Brought Your Sunday Morning Sunshine," "Sweet Caroline" or "The Fields of Athenraigh." Joe played to throngs of happy beachgoers at the Avon Boardwalk every Wednesday night each summer for years and years. Joe was a man of great faith and a humble and giving leader in his faith community. Generously giving of his time and talent, Joe played anytime asked at masses, weddings, funerals, or anniversary parties and was a frequent performer for the children and faculty of St. Rose Grammar and High School in Belmar. Joe was honored by St. Rose for his many contributions by induction into the St. Rose Arts Hall of Fame, an honor which is now known as the "Joe Finn Award." Joe also served St. Rose High School as their golf coach for 20 years, where his calm demeanor and nurturing guidance was cherished by many student athletes, who not only became better golfers, but grew to learn true sportsmanship while on Joe's teams. Joe was also honored with his high school basketball team of 1959 with induction into the Marist High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. Joe will be especially missed as the lector, music director, and performer at the special summer 9 a.m. mass at St. Elizabeth's in Avon-by-the-Sea. The celebrant of those masses, Monsignor Thomas Kliessler will be the principal celebrant and homilist.
He was predeceased by his parents, a son, Michael, and his older brother, John "Jack" Finn. Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Kathleen; his eight children, Moira and her husband, Rich Silva, Erinn and her husband, Doug Weisbrod, Brigid and her husband, Louis Maniace, Joseph, Jr., Katie and her husband, Jamie Cashman, Eileen and her husband, Tim Larson, Matthew and James. He is also survived by his sister, Catherine Gotti. He also leaves behind his eighteen grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Saint Elizabeth's R.C. Church, 424 Lincoln Ave., Avon. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Saint Rose R.C. Church, 603 Seventh Ave., Belmar. Interment will be at Saint Catharine's Cemetery, Sea Girt. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to The Visiting Nurse Association of Central NJ, 176 Riverside Ave., Red Bank, or the Avon First Aid, P.O. Box 2, Avon, NJ 07717, would be greatly appreciated. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Reilly Funeral Home, 801 D Street, Belmar.

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.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------