David Eugene Finnegan

David E. Finnegan, 77, Zionsville, IN 46077

Loving and adoring husband, proud and devoted father and Papaw, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and dog-lover, left this world Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, IN. He lost consciousness during a sudden cardiac event, resulting in a fall in his driveway and subsequent traumatic brain injury, after taking a walk with his wife, Sandy, holding hands on a beautiful Spring day. He will never be forgotten.

David Eugene Finnegan was born in New Castle, PA, on June 4, 1947, to Patrick and Betty Finnegan. Dave is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sandra Boone Snodgrass, daughters Amber Nunes (Fabio) of Zionsville, IN and Molly Martinez (Manuel) of Richardson, TX and grandchildren, Luca and Mateo Nunes and Cora and Hannah Martinez, brother Don Finnegan (Susie) of Muncie, and sister Kathy Halleck (Steve) of Indianapolis, nephews Shane (Karen) and Ryan (Jessica) Finnegan and James (Anne), Brandon, and Aaron Halleck and several great nieces and nephews.

Dave grew up in Muncie, Indiana where he attended St. Lawrence Grade School, Muncie Central High School, and Ball State University, graduating in 1969. He loved his BSU Cardinals and loved attending and watching as many sports as he could, especially football games and the women’s volleyball teams.

Dave served in the US Army Reserves as a medic during the Viet Nam era. He was honored to be his grandchildren’s Veteran representative at their school events each November.

Dave was loved by his Kentucky “Boone” family, Joe (Judy), Jim (Joyce), Billy (Alice), Donnie (Chiqueta), David (Dana), Charlotte (Thom Pike), Joannie (Eddie Burch), Daniel Boone (Karen) and his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Dave’s work history included AMAX Coal Company, owner of Wefthouse Energy Works, the City of Indianapolis (Public Housing), and the State of Indiana (Department of Labor). He retired from the Recorder’s Office of the City of Indianapolis as Assistant Controller. One of Dave’s proudest projects was working with the Attorney General to set the prevailing wage for public works projects which set a legal precedent that established fair wages for construction projects based on his efforts.

Dave also held an Indiana Real Estate Broker’s license and passed all four parts of the CPA exam.

He made life-long friends at every place he worked, which continue today.

Dave and Sandy loved to go on adventures and travel including the Amazon in Brazil SA, an Alaskan Cruise, Greek Islands tour, and a 20 day tour of Europe where together they saw the Pope in St. Peter’s Square and had communion in the Vatican, the Louvre in Paris, the Tower of London and British Parliament, a gondola ride in Venice, Anne Frank house in Amsterdam, etc. They also visited Cuba after the traveling restrictions were lifted. They recently took the entire family to a dude ranch in Tombstone AZ. Other Family trips included Disney World, Sedona and Jerome AZ, Cape San Blas, FL, Ocean Isle Beach NC, San Antonio TX, San Francisco, New York City, Washington DC, Grand Canyon, Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, among others, with memories living forever.

Dave loved music, art, theatre, and supporting artists both local and during their travels. Dave loved cold beer and fine wine and a good cigar by the firepit with a friend or family member to discuss world events or just telling stories. Dave never met a stranger and would get to know you by asking questions and listening to your story. Dave loved good food but was happy with leftovers, an egg-salad sandwich or toast.

Dave and Sandy spent years being ‘fixer-upper’ real estate property managers, including a Florida vacation home, an Ohio River high-rise condo, an historical Fletcher Place duplex and recently a Texas townhouse. In retirement they sold their Florida property and bought a Cordry-Sweetwater Lakehouse and have enjoyed being boat owners and hosting family lake adventures, grandkids parties, and just watching the morning sun glitter on the water while enjoying a cup of coffee.

No one loved dogs more than Dave, especially his wiener dog Friskers, his Pug Tallulah and his Boston Terrier Daisy. Walks with the pups around the condo neighborhood and to the mailbox were highlights of his day. Stella, Rosie, and Luna his granddogs, also got special lovins, as well as kitties Honey and Bluey.

His grandsons Luca and Mateo from Zionsville IN provided him lots of cross-country meets, robotics competitions, soccer games, volleyball tournaments, music concerts and plays.

Travels to Richardson TX to see his granddaughters, Cora and Hannah, choir performances, Drama Kids, birthdays and holidays were never missed.

Evenings at the fire table with a glass of wine and lively discussion with his sons-in-law and other family members were things he always looked forward to wherever he went.

Instead of flowers, we know Dave would like donations to: St Vincent dePaul Society, 1201 E. Maryland St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, https://www.svdpindy.org

Or

Indiana Canine Assistant Network – ICAN, https://icandog.org, training for Service Dogs for Disabled Children and Adults - 5100 Charles Ct., Suite 100, Zionsville, IN 46077

Visitation with be Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 11am-1pm, at ARN Funeral Services, 11411 N. Michigan Road, Zionsville, IN 46077. The memorial service will follow immediately at 1pm. Dave will be cremated at a later date and his ashes spread around his favorite places in Florida and Indiana.