FINOCCHIARO, Raymond “Mr. Finney”, aged 93, of St. Petersburg, Florida walked into the embrace of his wife, daughter, family, and pets in the early morning of May 18. Ever the obstinate man, after being told he only had a few days left he pushed on for another week showcasing the tenacity he demonstrated in life. 

Born to Giuseppe Finocchiaro and his wife Agatina, Rosario was the first generation of his family born in America after emigrating from Sicily to the United States. After settling in Massachusetts, like so many emigrants, he was bullied in school for two main reasons: One, he was a short and two, he didn’t speak English. What he didn’t have in eloquence or height he made up in attitude and ability. After one such occasion, he was sent home from school as a result of a melee. He may not have started it, but he certainly finished it. His father told his family ‘No more Italian, only English’ and then anglicized his name to Raymond so they could take pride in being American. From that moment on he was only ever permitted to speak Italian at the dinner table. This was something that became the core of who he was: a proud American. 

While military service was not in his plans, he was called to service via the draft in the Korean Conflict. Ever the ‘energetic’ young man, he was promoted as often as he was demoted for his antics during military service. He certified as a marksman and through his good fortune, was assigned to a MASH where he spent his time of service. Cy, as he was nicknamed at the time, was amateur photographer and he took many photos of his time in Okinawa. While a proud Army veteran, he didn’t speak much of his service. He limited his discussions to his travels and only answered direct questions regarding his service. 

Coming back from Korea he met the acquaintance of a young lady named Janet Tilton. Ever the charmer, he successfully wooed her and they married. They lived primarily in the Methuen and Pleasant Valley areas of Massachusetts with some time in Lawrence before they relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1989 where they spent the rest of their life. 

His family had run a grocery store but Raymond had no aspirations as to being grocer or mill worker. He received a diploma in business from Merrimack College and became a real estate broker. He founded Tri-Delta Realty and as he built his real estate business he also worked for many years at Sanders, and then Honeywell Bull, and finally Raytheon when they bought the Honeywell plant he worked at. Ever the entrepreneur, he also founded an electronics calibration business, Federal Standard Labs. In retirement he took jobs working at Admiral Farragut Academy and assisted with his wife’s business Janet’s Alterations and Tailoring. After they closed the tailoring business he worked at Jabil Circuit, returning to his electronics roots. 

When his eyesight deteriorated, he stepped away from electronics work and ran a register at Hess Express in Pinellas Park, Florida. He enjoyed working the 3rd shift weekends so he could meet all the people coming and going to the nightlife in Ybor City. In his last few working years, he was a security guard and worked a number of posts including the prestigious Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg. 

He was the proud father of two children, Donnamarie and Joseph. His children were his life and he would do anything for them. He was always present and supported them in their activities and despite any and all hardships in his life, he always put his family first. If he was to have any weakness, it was his need to protect and shelter his family, especially his children. 

Outside of his children he had a passionate love for animals, especially dogs. From Dubs the Doberman, Moosie the chihuahua mix, and even neighborhood stray cats, he loved animals as much as he loved his family. Like most men of his generation, he loved and cared very deeply which made the losses hurt that much more, especially when it came to losing his pets. Also, like men of his generation, he never outwardly showed much emotion in these circumstances, softening as he advanced in years. 

He had an immense love of Sicily and visited there throughout his life. His Italian family were very important to him and he spoke often and lovingly of them. He would happily pull out slides of pictures he took in Sicily when he visited and talk about his cousins and landmarks. 

A charming and vibrant man in his youth, as his hearing declined it had a profound effect on him and how he interacted with the world. With the advent of the internet and portable devices, he was able to communicate and virtually travel which greatly improved his quality of life. It was also through technology that he was able to keep himself sharp, ever learning something new. Even as dementia started to take its toll, he would still pour over the internet reading and learning, planning his next great business deal or keep up to date with politics and current events. 

He was predeceased by his wife, Janet, his daughter Donnamarie, his parents, his siblings, and family friends Gimi and Bill. He is survived by his son, Joseph, grandchildren Daniel, Josephine, and Sara, beloved cousin Alfio Torrisi, and his son-in-law Mark Welch. He is also survived by many other family members in Messina, Catania and Santa Venerina, Sicily and in Massachusetts. 

A special thank you from his family to the folks at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Aspire at Brooksville, HPH Hospice, and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church for all their help in his care and in his final days. 

Visitation will be at Sorensen Funeral Home in St. Petersburg, Florida on Thursday, May 30th from 4pm to 6pm followed by a funeral mass at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Seminole, Florida on Friday, May 31st at 10am.  For those unable to attend the Mass, the ceremony will be livestreamed on Facebook (@bscsem) and Youtube via the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church (www.bscchurch.com)

Flowers are welcome but please consider donating to the Raymond & Janet Finocchiaro Memorial Fund which is being established in his wife and his memory.  Donations can be sent via CashApp to $BigBadFin, forwarded to the funeral home, or to 203 Swallowtail Lane, Josephine, Texas, 75173.