Michael Finney

Dr Michael Finney departed this life on January 13, 2025, at St. Elizabeth/Mercy Health Hospital Youngstown, Ohio with family present.

Born to Jerrald Otis and Thelma Irene Finney May 26, 1940, in Anderson, Indiana. Michael moved to Orange County, California when it was still lined with orange trees. His first job there as a boy was gingerly delivering eggs by bicycle. He graduated from Millikan High School, Long Beach, California 1958 and went on to undergraduate studies at Stanford University where Ella Fitzgerald, musical guest at his junior prom, gave him a "Dutch rub" on the head!

Michael pursued graduate studies at the University of Iowa City during the 60's where he walked to the Student Union to watch "Star Trek" beginning his lifelong love of Science Fiction. After earning his Doctor of Philosophy degree, he moved east and started a family while teaching at various colleges and universities;

After a brief teaching stint in the Carolinas Michael came to Youngstown State University in 1976. His career spanned decades teaching composition, Modern British Literature, James Joyce Seminar, Science Fiction, the Spy Novel among others. During the 90's, Michael attended many James Joyce Literary conferences where his papers received accolades.

Michael married Kate Ramunno in '97 in the backyard at "Leaning Trees," an old stucco mansion on Cohasset Drive, Youngstown's Southside, the late Judge James Lanzo presiding.

In the early 2000's, Michael served the faculty as Chairman of the Grievance Committee and later as the President of the Union on campus. He received the 'Distinguished Professor' award in 2006.

A sun-lover, Michael enjoyed travelling and reading novels beachside in St. Lucia, sampling the native cuisine, crawdads in New Orleans, the wines of Niagara on the Lake, the Palms of Florida, playing and later watching tennis, gourmet cooking and entertaining, college football-Go Hawkeyes l I!, playing 'spider chase' with his grandson, bird watching, the music of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, the Kingston Trio, family, and playing harmonica with the 'Romanettes'.

He retired from teaching in January 2011 to grow tomatoes and flowers on the patio. His later years were challenged by the demands of Parkinson's Disease which he battled admirably. He is survived by wife Kate, a son Shaun (Amanda), grandson Quinn, extended family, dog Roger Federer, kitties, friends and bandmates.

Michael entrusted his cremation to Heritage Crematory and Burial Society, Cleveland, Ohio. No funeral services are planned by the request of the deceased. Condolences and special memories of Michael can be shared with his family online at www.heritagecremationsociety.com