Michael J. Finnerty Jr.

Michael J. Finnerty, Jr. went to join his beloved wife early in the morning of May 10, 2016.

He was born May26, 1919 in NYC and later moved to Long Island, NY in 1929. During the depression years, he went to both public and Catholic schools. He was the second of four children born to an Irish immigrant mother and a 2nd generation Irish father. Because jobs were scarce, he had a post graduate year in high school and then received a wrestling scholarship to college. He left after one year to help his father support the family.

Before long, he was drafted into the Army and had various assignments before Officer Candidate School. After training, he was shipped to England to prepare for D-Day. His unit moved throughout Europe before the German surrender

After his discharge in NYC in February of 1946, he married Mary Jane Scanlon in Philadelphia. They moved to the Kansas City area in 1948, where he began a career with GM while attending Rockhurst College at night and earning a degree.

The family grew to seven children over the years, while living in Prairie Village, and Roeland Park, KS, before moving to Lee's Summit, MO after retiring. Eventually the kids were gone and they moved to Overland Park, KS, where they resided until finally going to a retirement home in Lenexa, KS.

Michael was a hard worker who cherished his wife and family, but also enjoyed retirement by dancing and traveling. He was at ease making new friends at the retirement home. He is already missed by them.

Michael was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane, and his parents, Michael, Sr and Marie, and his daughter, Diane. He is survived by sons Michael III (Linda), Bill, and Jeff (Michelle); daughters Kathy Brotherson (Wade), Maureen Patton, and Susie Holloway (Kerwin); thirteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. Also surviving are close nephews Steve, Mark, and Dan Scanlon; niece Mary Cummings; and their families.

Visitation from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Sunday, May 15, at Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS, with rosary to follow. Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 16, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5500 Woodson Rd, Mission, KS, followed by burial with military honors at 12:30p.m., at Ft. Leavenworth Cemetery.