Thomas F. Finnegan, 63, former city parks employee

Thomas Francis Finnegan, 63, a Philadelphia parks employee for 30 years, died June 27 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania of complications from a blood transfusion.

Starting in 1971, Mr. Finnegan worked for the city Recreation Department as district supervisor at McCreesh, Finnegan and Vare Playgrounds. He served as properties manager for Fairmount Park before retiring in 2001.

During the same period, Mr. Finnegan battled serious health problems. He beat cancer in 1971, made it through a heart-valve replacement in 1997, and recovered from strokes in 1998 and 2001.

"We always had fun," said his wife, the former Gerri Hanson. "He accepted his fate and never wanted anyone to feel bad for him."

Mr. Finnegan grew up in Southwest Philadelphia. He moved to Roxborough in 1987, and from there to South Philadelphia in 2004.

He graduated from West Catholic High School in 1964 and attended La Salle College, now La Salle University, where he played basketball.

Mr. Finnegan transferred to Widener University and graduated in 1968 with a bachelor of science degree in hospitality management.

He was in the Army from Sept. 9, 1969, until Sept. 1, 1975, when he was honorably discharged at the rank of private.

He met his future wife in the summer of 1976. Both were staying with friends on 21st Street in Avalon, N.J. The two married in March 1979.

Mr. Finnegan was a fan of Philadelphia sports teams and Notre Dame football. He idolized slugger Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees.

He loved basketball, which he played and coached in many city leagues.

Mr. Finnegan was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Elks, and always joined the Flanagan Hanson Clan when the clan marched in Philadelphia's St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are sons Brian Thomas and Kevin Thomas, and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. today, with a viewing at 8:30 a.m., both at St. Gabriel Roman Catholic Church, 29th and Dickinson Streets, South Philadelphia. Interment will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Gabriel Memorial Fund, 2917 Dickinson St., Philadelphia 19146.