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