Growing up, Gerry lived in Tampa FL, Sacramento CA, Frankfurt Germany, Savannah and Albany Georgia and Bellevue NE, where he graduated from Bellevue High School in 1966.
Gerry was appointed to the U.S Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD., graduating in 1970. He earned his Naval Aviator wings after training in Pensacola, FL, and was stationed at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi and Naval Air Station Oceana, where he proudly flew the A4 Skyhawk with Fleet Composite Squadron Two (VC-2).
After his service in the US Navy, Gerry spent his career as an independent Certified Financial Planner and was a founding member of the Nebraska Society of Certified Financial Planners.
Gerry was a 19-year member of the adjunct faculty at the College of Business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, teaching courses in Finance.
Gerry’s served as campaign manager and treasurer for numerous national and local political campaigns including for Bob Kerry, Jim Exon, and Bill Harris. He served on the Boards of Cedars’ Youth Services, Lincoln Citizen Advocacy, Wreaths Across America, and the Capital Humane Society.
Family members include his wife, Deane of Lincoln; sons Gerard “Tad” (Erica) Finnegan III, Valley Cottage, NY and Patrick (Julie) Finnegan, Lincoln; grandchildren Ashley, Cooper and Tessa Finnegan; brothers James F. (Janet) Finnegan and Robert E. Finnegan, all of Dallas, TX; sister-in-law Donna Hockley; brothers-in-law Earl Tilford and David (Pam) Smith; nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents, sister Grace Tilford and brother F. Thomas Finnegan.
Memorial services Thursday, December 5th, 2024, at 2:00 PM at First-Plymouth Church, 2000 D St.
Memorials to Capital Humane Society and Wreaths Across America-Lincoln.