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Jim Grady
My condolences to the Finnegan Family.. Charlie had an amazing life, one you could write a book about .... Served his country with pride , served his community with his talents and provided a life full of joy laughter and love for his three girls who he adored .. What a blessing it was that my Dad was introduced to Charlie though my uncle Joe. Dad and Charlie became fast friends.. I remember how excited my Dad was to buy a boat with Charlie when the both lived up north..We had lots of fun times with the Finnegan’s & the Straub’s back then…He and my Mom were so thrilled when Charlie and Marge moved down south right into the same street…, they were an unlikely pair , Charlie being a member of Mensa and an officer and a successful salesman and my Dad dropping out of High School and becoming an enlisted man a cop and entrepreneur..Yet they shared strong love of family, and a great sense of humor..and a love of country.. My Dad was also so thrilled when Charlie decided to take up Golf in his later years.. like my Father also had … For one thing it meant they could spend more time together… and even more importantly to my Dad .. he would no longer be the worst Golfer in town! I would be remiss if I Didn’t share how much it meant to my family when my father passed , Charlie’s acts of kindness.. he had a very charming and disarming way of touching your soul… One morning as we were still in shock of Dads passing Charlie showed up with a couple bags of Chick Fillet Sausage biscuts.. it seemed like 50 of them… It was such a simple gift but meant so much, I remember asking Charlie , what are we going to do with all of these .. and his wise and smilling face said .. “I guess you better eat em”! A few days after that Charlie encouraged me to take my Jeep wrangler and follow him with my kids .. he was driving his pride and joy red Jeep.. Charlie took us to a place I hadn’t been yet .. the little park at the end of the island .. we went out four wheeling and fishing and for a little while forgot our grief… we saw large Tortoises, raced each other and enjoyed the sunshine . When we were done there .. He had us all follow him .. and one of the lucky kids got to drive with Charlie in a “ Real Jeep” as we drove south off the island and he took us and treated us all to lunch at the Sand Dollar.. we thoroughly enjoyed it … at the end of the meal he quietly told me on the side how much my Dad had like going there .. and also that it happened to be the last place my Dad had ever gone out to eat before he got sick and passed.. It was a very touching moment.. I have been back there many times. j always think about my Dad there and Charlie’s generosity. I have also brought dozens of people for rides on Amelia Island State park driving the jeep in the Sun , stopping to fish and again I think of Charlie Finegan and how he made a very difficult time a little easier for my family.. Surely he was one of Gods favorite Sons .. In my minds eye today I can see him out on the Golf Course with my Dad .. probably breaking 100 up there at least.. and when they finally walk into the clubhouse.. Bill Straub eloquently barks what the hell took you two so long .. I was fortumate to bump into Charlie and Marge a couple times this past year .. I will miss his smiling face and wicked sense of humor . I am of course sorry for Margie’s and the girls loss. I do believe Charlie is in a better place and has finally been called home . God Bless Charli and the entire Finnegan Clan.
Daniel Guindon
Charlie, you will be missed. Thank you for being such a great friend and for your moral support throughout the different stages of my life. You will be missed. Your family and beloved ones can be proud of you.
Margo Story
My sincere condolences to Margie & the family. Charlie was a wonderful & peaceful man, he will be truly missed. May the perpetual light shine upon him.
John and Sherry Pulsinelli
We lost a true friend and great patriot and humanitarian. We’ll miss you Charlie and will keep you and Margie and the family in our prayers. May you rest in peace with our Lord and Savior. Hopefully we will all be together again to play that final round of golf that we never got to play. ✝️🙏
Barb Gingher
Margie and family, know that Charlie is flying high and watching over you. God bless you.
Carl and Barb Anderson
Carl and Barb Anderson
Lori Kennedy
Lisa, Darren & Michael Allisom
Charles "Charlie" Finnigan, Jr., USAF Lt. Col (Ret)
2026-02-02
Charles “Charlie” Finnigan Jr., USAF Lt. Col. (Ret.), 86, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Born in Washington, DC, on August 22, 1939, he was the son of Dr. Charles A. Finnigan Sr. and Kathryn Dickie Finnigan.
Charlie began training for his military career at the Virginia Military Institute, where he met his beautiful wife, Marjorie, on a blind date to the prestigious VMI Ring Dance in 1961. They married in 1963, a year after he became a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, and began raising a family while traveling the world together. His flight experience included the B-52 and supersonic aircraft such as the F-102, F-105, F-4, and B-58. Charlie served as an Electronic Warfare Officer, was a proud member of the Wild Weasel Squadron, and received numerous medals and commendations for his exemplary service. In 1982, he began a second career in international marketing with Lockheed Electronics in Yonkers, NY, and then Senior Marketing Director with the Lockheed Martin Corporation in Owego, New York.
Upon his second retirement, Charlie and his wife moved to what they considered a little slice of heaven in Fernandina Beach, where they continued traveling the world and he particularly enjoyed golfing with friends and driving his red jeep on the beach. He was a long term member of Mensa, a founding member of the Nassau County chapter of the Military Officers Association of America and served as its president for five years. He also served multiple terms as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus (St Michael Council) and as president of the St. Michael’s Men’s Club, where he spearheaded many successful fundraising campaigns and community-building events. He was particularly proud of his ongoing support of St. Michael Academy, a Blue Ribbon School.
Charlie is survived by his children, Brigid Whitaker (David) and Jennifer Dym (Cary); his grandchildren, Molly Buckley (Patrick), Caroline Biondo (Elliott), Stella Whitaker, Matthew Buckley, Amanda Dym, and Micaeli Dym; and his beloved sister, Patricia Fitch of Troy, Virginia.
Visitation will be held from 5:00–7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home, 1305 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach. A funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at St. Michael’s Church, 202 North 4th Street, Fernandina Beach, followed immediately by a reception. Burial will take place at the Jacksonville National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to STEAMpark, a charity that provides academic support to low-income children. STEAMpark.org
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