Dennis V. Finn

Dennis V. Finn, age 90, passed away peacefully in the Maples Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wrentham, Massachusetts, on Monday, March 13, 2017. Born in the Hyde Park section of Boston, Massachusetts, on April 13, 1926, he was the son of the late Robert and Mary (Hurley) Finn. He was raised in Hyde Park, along with nine siblings and attended Hyde Park High School with the Class of 1944, where he was a member of the marching band, playing the trumpet. Dennis left high school early to join the United States Navy, proudly serving his country during World War II. He was stationed aboard the USS LST 849 in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations, taking part in the liberation of the Philippines and the Battle of Okinawa. Dennis was honorably discharged in May of 1946 after earning the rank of Radioman Third Class. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Area Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal.

Upon his return home to Hyde Park, he quickly found work at a dental lab in Boston and shortly after met the love of his life, Lydia A. Dorofi. He spent a short time at the dental lab before taking a position with Cote Motors Ford Dealership in Mattapan as a mechanic. While working at Cote Motors, he was tapped by their marine division to begin working on marine engines.

Dennis and Lydia married on September 12, 1948 in Saint Joseph's Church in Hyde Park. The young couple made their home together on Washington Street in Hyde Park, however, after their family began to grow, they settled in Walpole, Massachusetts on North Street Circle. As their family continued to grow, Dennis left Cote Motors to take a job with Stop and Shop in Readville, working as a mechanic. He joined the Teamsters Union, Local 829, and went on to serve as Shop Steward. In order to further his career, he went for training in Tennessee, learning how to repair fork lifts and retired as the Shift Supervisor in 1988. After his retirement, he continued working as a clerk at the Walpole Auto Auction and later the Raynham Auto Auction.

Throughout his life, Dennis loved road trips. He took his family on many of these trips including traveling to upstate New York, visiting Niagara Falls, and to Canada, visiting Expo 67. He also had a love for camping, spending time at Russell Pond in the White Mountains and camping around the Washington, DC area. While camping, Dennis had a skill for creating various creature comforts, including making a sink and shower. As a mechanic, he had the ability to repair and conjure up anything that his family needed. When he was spending time at home, he was always looking for a project to take on. He loved the idea of being his own home improvement expert and was known around North Street Circle as the neighborhood handyman.

After retiring, Dennis enjoyed riding his bicycle along the Cape Cod Canal and traveling. Some of his most memorable trips included a windjammer cruise off the coast of Maine and a trip to Colorado with his younger sister Elizabeth, where he went whitewater rafting and took a hot air balloon ride. Dennis enjoyed quiet time as well, whether working on a piece of furniture for his family or spending time reading about history, especially the Civil War. He was devoted to the Catholic Church and served as an usher for years at Blessed Sacrament Parish.

Dennis and Lydia focused their love and energy raising a family in Walpole, Massachusetts. Her untimely death in 1983 left a void in his life. Dennis' devotion to family helped to ease this loss. He loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. He attended many sporting events, hosted many cookouts and holiday meals, where he would showcase his talents in the kitchen making Easter Bread and Irish Soda Bread. He took on many special woodworking projects for his grandchildren and treasured every minute he spent with them. "Uncle Denny" also enjoyed outings and reunions with his many nieces, nephews and their families.

Beloved husband of 35 years of Lydia A. (Dorofi) Finn.
Loving father of Dennis V. Finn, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of Foxborough, Janet M. Van Riper and her husband Curtis of West Wareham, Timothy J. Finn and his wife Patricia of Deering, New Hampshire, and Paul M. Finn and his wife Diane of Walpole.
Cherished grandfather of Shawn and his wife Maho, Brian and his wife Courtney and great granddaughter Allison, Lydia and her husband David, Emily, Michael, Stephanie, and Ryan.
Brother of Agnes Allen of Florida, the late Francis Finn, Robert Finn, Joseph Finn, Thomas Finn, Anna Foley, Theresa Rowley, Elizabeth Finn, and Helen Haas.
Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Dennis' Life Celebration on Friday, March 17, 2017 from 4-7 PM and Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 9-9:30 in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.