April 10, 2019

William A. Finnen Jr., 89, of West Grove, died Sunday, April 7, at Penn Medicine Hospice, West Chester, PA.  He was the husband of Jane Abernethy Finnen, who passed away Feb. 7, and with whom he shared 65 years of marriage.

Born in Union, N.J., he was the son of the late William A. Finnen and the late Lillian Steigerwald Finnen of Landenberg.

Bill served his country as a member of the U.S. Air Force and was a Korean War veteran.

He had 34 dedicated years of service with AT&T and retired in 1987.

Bill Finnen served the community of Penn Township for 55 years. As township secretary from 1960 to 2015 and as township supervisor from 1972 to 2015. Bill and his wife, Jane provided the township with its first home in the basement of their house, where public meetings were held and the business of the township was conducted. They were known to provide baked goods and coffee for every meeting.

In May of 2004, Bill was recognized by the Pennsylvania State Association of Townships and entered into the Supervisor Hall of Fame for his service to the community. At that time, he stated in an interview that he believed it was his job to “work with the people, listen to the people, and provide a service to the people.”

During his tenure, the township grew from a farming community of 960 people to a suburban community of 5,511. During his tenure, the township built a township building, a ten-acre park, and developed into the commercial hub of southern Chester County, including a thriving business district, shopping center, hospital, YMCA, and multiple age-restricted housing developments. Even in retirement, he remained an active member at various township events such as the annual picnic and served on the Planning Commission, Historical Commission, and Friends of Penn Township.

Upon his retirement, the Penn Supervisors re-named the Penn Township Community Room, the Finnen Community Room to honor their years of service and contribution to the community

He was a member of the Swayne, Campbell, Testa, VFW Post # 5467, Kennett Square, and the Avon Grove Lions Club.

He enjoyed gardening, farming, traveling, was a history lover and was an avid fisherman and hunter. His passion was to serve others.

He is survived by two daughters, Suzanne Sylvina and her husband Michael of West Grove, and Dianne Swenson and her husband David of West Grove; one brother, Edward Finnen of Elkton, Md.; one sister, Margaret Richardson and her husband Monte of Landenberg,; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Bill was predeceased by one granddaughter, Stacy Sylvina Connell.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, at the Penn Township Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove. His Memorial service will follow at 11. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com

Arrangements by the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove, West Grove, PA.