Friends, family mourn the loss of local veterans' advocate
90-year-old dedicated his life to the service of others
By Kyle Jorrey kjorrey@theacorn.com

OLD SOLDIER- A photo taken of Simi resident John Finnagan, who died last month, near the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Finnagan, a WWII paratrooper, was very touched by the monument, his wife said.

In his powerful farewell address in 1951, Gen. Douglas R. MacArthur, supreme allied commander of American forces in the Pacific during World War II, told Congress, "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away."

Simi Valley resident John Finnagan was an old soldier. And in a true reflection of MacArthur's words, he is fading away, having left behind a legacy of sacrifice and good deeds that will be remembered long after he's gone.

Finnagan, 90, died Dec. 30 from injuries related to a car accident on Dec. 16 in Simi Valley. The Los Angeles County coroner's office said it will be at least a month until an official cause of death is determined.

Despite his age, Finnagan's death came as a shock to many of those in the community who knew him as a tireless advocate for veterans and for those serving overseas, as a man who refused to lie down until his mission was accomplished.

DOUGH BOY- A picture of John Finnagan in his early 20s as a soldier in the United States Army. Finnagan served his country from 1940-45, taking part in the fierce battle to retake the the Philippine island fortress of Corregidor.

Just last September, Finnagan organized a "Light Up Their Lives" candlewalk to honor injured veterans. Residents, their families and the mayor attended the event.

"We need to show these men and women that we haven't forgotten about them and their sacrifice," Finnagan told the Simi Valley Acorn.

Councilmember Barbra Williamson, a dedicated supporter of veterans' causes in the community, worked with Finnagan on the candlewalk and several other projects during the brief three years he lived in Simi.

"He would be the first one in my office in the morning," Williamson remembered. "We'd share a cup of coffee and man, he had these ideas and he wanted to bounce them off me. 'What do you think of this?' 'What do you think of that?' He had so much energy and spirit. He will so be missed."

Working for local vets

Though Finnagan dedicated his leadership skills to a plethora of causes during his lifetime, his final years were spent serving as a correspondence officer for the Simi chapter of the Disabled American Veterans.

Mary, Finnagan's wife of 54 years, said her husband sought out the position with the DAV just days after the couple relocated from their longtime home in the Lake Los Angeles/Palmdale area to the home of a daughter, Theresa Witeby, and her husband, Curt, in Simi Valley.

"He didn't waste any time," Mary said. "I asked him, 'John, don't you think you want to rest for a couple days and get used to your new surroundings?' He said no. He just had to do something."

Through the DAV, Finnagan met longtime resident Salvador Ayala, who like himself was a former Army paratrooper- Finnagan in World War II, Ayala in the Korean conflict.

They quickly exchanged war stories (Ayala freely admitting Finnagan's were more exciting) and became friends.

"Sal was the person my dad was the closest with in Simi Valley," Theresa said.

Two other children survive the veteran: Tim Finnagan, who lives in Walnut Creek, Calif., and Rosemary Rahn of Northridge.

Ayala called his friend "a real war hero," and "a man who made a difference."

"He has done many, many things for the Disabled American Veterans in the city of Simi Valley," Ayala said of his friend.

From Beantown

to Bonzai Point

An Irish Catholic boy from Boston, Finnagan moved to San Diego during his adolescence and attended St. Augustine High School. While in school, he sold newspapers for the San Diego Union Tribune, a job that allowed him to board Naval ships.

"Maybe that's where his interest in the military first came from," Tim Finnagan said.

On March 7, 1940, "Chauncey," as his friends knew him, enlisted in the United States Army.

Earning the rank of corporal in a little over a year, Finnagan was asked to become a drill instructor and train incoming troops.

He denied the offer and instead requested transfer to the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team in hopes of "seeing more action," his son said.

"This paratrooper training was an extremely different training regiment- which is something Dad thrived on," Tim said. "He had worked for a number of years as a lumberjack in Tennessee. He was a very tough, hardworking person."

On Feb. 16, 1945, less than a week after his 24th birthday, Finnagan and the rest of the 503rd parachuted onto a heavily fortified Philippine island at the mouth of Manila Bay known as Corregidor and recaptured it from the entrenched Japanese, who had fought for and won control of the island from MacArthur's forces in 1942.

The most intense fighting of the weeklong campaign happened at a battle later named "The Battle for Banzai Point."

In that clash, 500 Japanese marines, under the cover of a moonless night, charged at American soldiers; 250 of those enemy forces were left dead.

Of the 2,065 members of the 503rd who landed on Corregidor, 280 were killed or severely injured. The battle lead to the liberation of the Philippines and earned all members of the 503rd military commendations.

"My father was a patriot, a man who was willing to give his life for his country, simple as that," Tim said.

Chauncey's last charge

Finnagan was on his way to the post office to deliver fliers for an upcoming event he had planned when he was in his accident.

The event was scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 13.

According to those fliers, the event was to be "a peaceful demonstration and a show of support," Finnagan wrote. "All of us who are holding hands together will be sending a message of salute and honor to all of our veterans."

"He brought things to people's attention and took the first step to get things done. He was a catalyst," Tim said.

Though the event was canceled, members of the community who knew Finnagan or his family are invited to tomorrow's funeral services to be held at 11 a.m. at St. John Baptist de la Salle Parish, 10738 Havenhurst Ave., Granada Hills.

Many hundreds are expected to attend what his family called a "traditional Catholic funeral." Bagpipes will be played at the beginning and the end of the ceremony.

Because of Finnagan's passion for charity work and his involvement with DAV Chapter 55, a John R. Finnagan Memorial Fund has been established with the Simi Valley Community Foundation.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that people make donations to the community foundation in Finnagan's memory.

Williamson, who said she regretted only getting to know Finnagan briefly, said his passion for getting things done probably helped keep the old soldier from fading away for such long time.

"He had such a good heart; I think his active life kept him alive. It kept him so busy that being ill and thinking bad thoughts just never crept into his mind," Williamson said. "He was such a good person. Now there's a place in Heaven for him. He probably has everyone standing at attention."