Visitation: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Location: Weymouth Funeral Home
Memorial Service: 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Location: Weymouth Funeral Home Chapel
Lt Col Bill Finocchio, USAF Ret., flew his last mission on June 19, 2018 after a long and courageous battle with prostate cancer. Bill was born September 17, 1946, in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Bravely serving his country for 23 years flying the F-4, F-5 and F-16 in Vietnam and Thailand, Bill flew over 310 combat missions. The apex of his career was Commanding the Aggressor Squadron in the Philippines. Barbara Bennett was Bill’s First Mate in support of his career and mother to their children. Bill retired in 1992. He then worked for Raytheon and retired from Northrop Grumman.
There were three passions in Bill’s life besides serving his country. Near the top was Golf. “Finoc” was an excellent and avid golfer and could be found with his buddies any day on one of the 25 golf courses in the Tidewater area. His Mecca was The Masters Tournament, which he was able to go to 3 times. Having played sports all his life, he accomplished running a marathon at the Orange Bowl in Miami with an amazing time of 3:35:49.
Through Bill’s adventurous military career, the travel bug took hold. He and Pat, his copilot for 15 years in retirement, loved to travel and learn about this world we inhabit, its people and colonial beauty. Cruising was a favorite way to do this. Safaris in South Africa were travel highlights, and never dreamed that traveling to all seven continents on our planet would happen in his lifetime. Most of all, time with family was Bill’s first passion.
Left to cherish and share his memories are his son William Bennett Finocchio and grandchildren, Hudson, Bennett and Dylan Finocchio all of Jacksonville, Florida; daughter Ann Finocchio Mefferd (Andrew) and grandchildren, Jasper and Cleome Mefferd of Cornville, Maine.; bother Douglas M. Finocchio, nephew Douglas Finochio, Jr.(Jill), niece Deanna Finocchio Pelle and grandnieces Elizabeth, Nicole, Sofia and Stacy Marie all of Greenwich, Connecticut.
He will be dearly missed by Patricia Jean Hixon and her children; Tamara Laske Lawson (Jimmy Bohannon) of Gloucester, Virginia, Scott Laske Gomez (Edwin) of Greenville, North Carolina, and Julie Laske Russ (Nathan) and grandchildren, Miranda, Trent and Nolan of Annapolis, MD.
Bill is predeceased by his parents, Janet M. and Michael S. Finocchio; sister Rosemary Finocchio Licari and sister-in-law Rosalie Finocchio.
Bill was the consummate gentleman and role model, who charmed all who knew him with his humility and kindness. He was especially known and loved for his witty one-liners thrown when least expected, his puns and shaggy dog stories.
A special thank you to Dr. Kannarkat and staff at the Cancer Institute of Riverside Medical Group, Dr. Henry Prillaman and Dr. Paul Micale for their on-going care of this wonderful man.
Friends are invited to visit the family from 2:00-3:00p.m.on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at Weymouth Funeral Home. A Memorial Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Bill Finocchio will begin at 3:00p.m., conducted by Rev. Landa Simmons, followed by a reception. Burial will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Edmund Ervin Pediatric Center, Maine General Medical Center, Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903.