JOHN RODERICK FINN
John Roderick Finn, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 14, at Franklin County Rehabilitation Center, with his dearly loved immediate family at his bedside.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Ann Kelley Finn, St. Albans; son, Michael J. Finn, Rutland, Vt.; sister, Marion Finn Bergin, Worcester, Mass.; brother-in-law, Michael Kelly, St. Albans, Vt.; sisters-in-law, Jane LeClair Finn, Lewiston, N.Y.; Sandra (Edward) DesLaurier, St. Albans, Vt.; Judith Kelley, Rouses Point, N.Y.; nephews, Joseph D. Bergin, James S. (Sarah) Bergin, Jamaica Plain, Mass.; John P. (Patricia) Bergin, Melrose Mass.; James (Jan) Finn, Mill Valley, Calif.; Timothy (Lauren) Finn, Liberty, Mo.; nieces, Maureen, Megan and Kerry Finn; Kathleen (John) Scalfani, Lewiston N.Y.; Jane (Rodney) Eckstein, St. Louis, Mo. John also leaves many great-nieces, nephews, close relatives and friends.
John was born Oct. 9, 1923, to parents, James Grover Finn and Marie Anne Limoges, at 8 South Elm St. in St. Albans. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to the Finn farm on the Newton Road, where John was introduced to country life and the associated chores assigned to young children. However, before he could become a real farmer, his father ran successfully for Franklin County Sheriff (2/1/33), and moved the family into the Jail on Lincoln Avenue in St. Albans. It was there that John acquired from his “Pop” the many characteristics and beliefs that led him into a long life of public service.
When John’s mother died in 1931, his father’s two maiden sisters, Catherine and Nellie Finn, moved into the household to raise the three children: Marion, 9; John, 8; and R. James, infant. No one thought about the inconveniences or dangers of living in the County lock-up. The building offered five bedrooms and one bath, a large living room, dining room for the family, and a huge kitchen, which was shared with the jail population. The two aunts both worked at the CV Railroad, so the Finn children had prisoners for baby-sitters, cleaning personnel and, often times, cooks. Although John didn’t have any inkling then, he was destined to spend a total of 36 years at that same address: 30 Lincoln Ave.
Aside from an unconventional living situation, John’s growing-up years were quite normal. His Dad was a very loving, but strict, parent who involved himself with his children whenever possible. They attended local schools: Messenger St., briefly, while residing on the farm; and then St. Mary’s where they all graduated from High School. During these years, John’s music teacher discovered that he had been gifted with an exceptional voice, and she started training him for what would become a significant talent in his future life. He did receive a voice scholarship to UVM at his graduation, but he decided to matriculate at Norwich.
After completing one year of college, on May 19, 1943, he was inducted into the Armed Forces. Because of color-blindness, he was ineligible for any branch of service other than the infantry. However, following several basic training assignments, he was tested for the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP), which was geared to college students with an IQ of 135 or higher, and was amazed to find himself on his way to the University of Detroit for a 24-week course in basic engineering.
“This higher education program would provide the army with the rocket scientists, engineers, medical personnel, and language translators needed for a very long war. When the war turned ugly and infantry casualties mounted, draft boards came up short. To solve the problem, the ASTP was abruptly and ingloriously ended.” (from “When Your Number’s Up,” a book by Raymond S. Ross, Ph D., who served with John in the 8th Armored Division during three major battles, in the European Theater of Operations: France, the Ardennes and Germany.)
John’s group was then deployed to Camp Polk, La., for regular Army training; and ultimately, was sent to New York where they boarded the ships for England on Nov. 2, 1944. John’s war experiences were fairly routine. He served in the ETO until the conflict was over, receiving only one minor wound for which he earned the Purple Heart medal. He finally returned to the States on Sept. 10, 1945.
He reentered Norwich and graduated with his original Class of 1946, which did not actually graduate until 1948. John held a BA in English and was accepted at Georgetown University, where he hoped to enter Law school; but he found that his studying days were over and he needed to get active in other fields. He specifically wanted a life and career in Vermont.
Until 1957 when he became the proud successor to his father, who died in office as Franklin County Sheriff, after 24 years, John held a variety of jobs in Franklin County. He worked in the editorial and news departments of both the St. Albans Messenger and the Swanton Courier; became active in the Democratic party as City Chairman, County Chairman and State Organizer; and became involved in many civic organizations in both the City of St. Albans and Franklin County, volunteering wherever an activist was needed.
Throughout these years, John was still residing at the County Jail (which he often referred to as “The Cross-Bar Motel”) with his father and aunts, and where he served as Jailer, Cook and Chief Deputy. On his father’s passing, the Democratic County Committee immediately submitted his name to the Governor as their candidate to fill the office until the next election. The Republican Governor, however, opted to go against tradition and appointed Republican George Rand of Georgia. He did, however, allow the Finn family to remain in the Jail until the office would be decided by the voters; with John continuing as Jailer and Deputy Sheriff until that time. When election night was over, Sheriff Rand bid them all a fond farewell, and “Sheriff Finn” remained on the office wall.
Although he held the office for 12 years, John desperately wanted to go further in politics, and in his frustration, often turned to alcohol for escape. He felt trapped in the job and responsible for the two aunts who had raised the family, and he did not want them displaced. When he was finally able to step down in 1969, he recognized that he had an alcohol problem, and so, on May 3, 1971, he attended his first AA meeting and never once slipped after that. On May 3, 2007, he celebrated 36 years of sobriety, in which he was also able to help hundreds of people achieve similar success. He refused to be anonymous, so his phone number was always available and often busy.
John’s other escape was music, and with his God-given voice, he was in great demand as an entertainer. When people would inquire, “What do we have to do to get John to sing?”, the answer was always, “Just ask him!” Hundreds of weddings and funerals have been enriched by his sacred renditions; Cardiac Capers always included him as a chorus member and a featured soloist; St. Patrick’s night at the Cornerstone Restaurant owed much of its success to his talents; a Fred Waring Elderhostel Group at Penn. State selected him to perform his signature song, “Old Man River;” Burlington’s First Night signed him for two appearances in 1997. In 1999, John participated in Robert Cook’s “Journey With Me: Stories of Growing Older.” He was a member of the traveling exhibition, “Secrets of Aging,” active in both the vocal and dance programs. He was a member of the old St. Albans SPEBSQSA, Holy Angels choir, for 30 years; and “The Grandmas and Grampas” until his illness stilled his voice. He sang his last solo at the Spring Concert of “Lynda’s Holiday Delights,” a chorus of the residents at Franklin County Rehab Nursing Home, in May 2007.
John’s lifetime dream came true when the St. Albans District Representative’s seat was becoming vacant for the 1982 Legislative session, and he was finally able to run. He won handily and went to Montpelier to begin the happiest days of his life. His wife, Betty Ann Kelley Finn, whom he had married on Nov. 12, 1977, was retired; and although serving as a Franklin County Side-Judge, was able to be with him much of the time, and it was a new and exciting adventure for both of them. John now had an opportunity to do the thing dearest to his heart: help people in a real way.
In his own words, “I tend toward preserving established traditions or institutions if they are good for the majority,” and, “In this democratic republic of ours, it is right to endorse change, progress and reform when it benefits the majority.”
His enthusiasm for the job took him to the Statehouse at seven every morning, and kept him there until seven many nights; a real change to his old daily schedule. In March of 1984, Sen. Richard Soule of Fairfax resigned due to illness, and Governor Madeleine Kunin immediately appointed John as his successor. He was sworn-in on March 20 and planned to stay forever. He became Chairman of the Senate General Affairs and Housing Committee, where he remained until illness ended his career in 1993. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and knew from personal experience caring for an aunt afflicted with the same condition, that his traveling days were numbered, and so he did not seek reelection.
He returned to St. Albans determined to stay active as long as possible; and upon learning that a big-box store was about to be built on the Swanton Road, selected that project as his next crusade. He firmly believed that not only downtown St. Albans stores, but all small businesses in Franklin County, would be adversely affected by this type of development; and so he recruited like-minded people to aid in the battle. The result was a small, dedicated group of local people willing to follow his lead toward preserving not only the local area, but Vermont as we know it. This was to be the first big-box in the state, and the group was united in the effort to stop it from being built in St. Albans. Thus was born the second Vermont organization of Citizens for Responsible Growth (the first was already active in Williston.)
Unfortunately, the Williston group lost their battle, and the results stand as a reminder to other areas. John and his group refused to give-up, and after many hearings, court action, and a finale in the Vermont Supreme Court, the application was denied. Although in recent years, John had been unable to participate meaningfully in many matters, he never lost his interest. The current organization of Northwest Citizens for Responsible Growth is an outgrowth of his original group, and a testament to his determination.
A list of John’s legislative committee initiatives, civic activities and awards follows.
Legislative initiatives:
Drug-testing legislation
Architectural barriers to the handicapped
Medical assignment bill, addressing the needs of emotionally disturbed children
Pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly
Hazardous waste management
American Sign Language Resolution
Telecommunications devices for the hearing impaired
Family leave
Permanent Replacement Worker bills (?)
Displaced Homemaker’s Act
Strikers Protection Bill
Protections for mobile home tenants
Public Trust Doctrine
Workers and unemployment compensations
Disabilities Act
Boating Laws
CIVIC:
Director of Franklin County Industrial Development Organization
As Director of the Assn. of Retarded Citizens, he established a home for women at 10 High St.; and for men at 22 Upper Welden St. He was also a founder of the Pancake Breakfasts and International Dinners.
As a realtor, he developed the Finn Avenue area of St. Albans from his family’s farm. He also worked at Campbell Realty, Dussault Hungerford and Finn, and Cioffi Real Estate.
Organizer for the Vermont Alcohol/Drug Use Diversion Program
CRASH Counselor and lecturer
Western Vermont District Census Bureau
Justice of the Peace
St. Albans City Grand Juror
President of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Association
President of the Vermont St. Sheriff’s Association
Director of the National Sheriff’s Association
President and Co-organizer of the Franklin County Development Assn. (now Grand Isle Regional Planning and Development Commission).
President and Co-organizer of Champlain Valley OEO.
Developer of Rehab Program for County prisoners.
Governor-appointed delegate to Eastern Area Alcohol Education and Training Program (serving 13 N.E. States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands).
Credited by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy for expediting the Highgate Customs and Immigration Bldg.
Co-chair of Mayor’s Task Force, St. Albans.
Director of Franklin County United Way
Member and Treasurer of Franklin Cty Assn. for Retarded Citizens
Member, City Food Co-Op
Member of Green Mountain Post #1; American Legion VFW, 40 & 8, and DAV
Member and PER- BPOE, Loyal Order of Moose, Fraternal Order of Eagles
Member, St. Albans Bay Assn.
Co-creator of the Missisquoi Valley Trail (with Stan Beauregard)
Chairman, Rest Area Commission
Governor’s Commission on Native Americans
Founder, Franklin County Parkinson’s Support Group
Member, Flynn Theater Capital Committee
Promoted two City public parking lots
Awards:
City of St. Albans Community Service
Franklin/Grand Isle Mental Health Service
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Regional Planning Commission
Maple Leaf Farm (as member, Vice-President, President and Advisor)
War on Poverty/Champlain Valley Office of Economic Development
Vermont Subcontractors Association
Franklin County Democratic Committee of Vermont
Lakeside Grange #309
Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses, France
Vermont Low-Income Action Committee
Vermont Health Policy Corporation
Franklin County Sheriff’s Dept.
St. Albans Area Chamber of Commerce
Franklin City Home Health Agency
The Alan Buckland Award
National Federation of the Blind
Viewing and Funeral Arrangements: A Wake will be held on Aug. 24, 2007, from 1 to 4 and 6 to 10 p.m. at Brady and Levesque Funeral Home, South Main St., St. Albans. Funeral – Aug. 25, 2007, 10 a.m., Holy Angels Church, Lake St., St. Albans. Arrangements delayed to enable the attendance of close family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to “The John R. Finn Scholarship Fund” for students who show promise in public affairs and community service. Checks may be made payable to:
The John R. Finn Scholarship Fund, c/o Smith-Barney, P.O. Box 1095, Burlington, Vt. 05402.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by the Brady & Levesque Web site: www.bnlfh.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home and Commemorative Services.[/b]
