Archdiocesan Priest, Rev. William J. Finnegan, Dies
Chicago (July 19, 2023) – Rev. William J. Finnegan, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish in Orland Park, passed away Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the age of 92.
Finnegan was born on May 23, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.
Finnegan was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1957, by Cardinal Samuel Stritch and he celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 12, 1957 at St. Mel Parish in Chicago.
After ordination, Finnegan served as assistant pastor at the following parishes: St. Joachim Parish on 91st Street in Chicago, St. Margaret of Scotland Parish on S. Throop Street in Chicago and Sacred Heart Parish in Palos Hills.
He then served as a chaplain for the Lt. Joseph Kenney School in Palos Heights and the Knights of Columbus in Chicago. He retired from the priesthood in 1997.
Rev. Daniel Sullivan, retired archdiocesan priest and a classmate, remembers Finnegan as a very kind and considerate person with a great sense of humor, very willing to help people in service of the Lord.
All funeral services will take place at Our Lady of the Woods Parish, 10731 W. 131st Street, in Orland Park. Visitation hours will be Thursday, July 20, 2023 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Friday, July 21 from 9 to 10 a.m. The funeral Mass will take place on July 21 at 10 a.m. and will be celebrated by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, Rev. Michael Foley will be the homilist. Interment will be private.