Croydon firefighters spent time last week mourning one of their own. Lifetime company member Mike Finnell passed last Sunday and was laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem on Thursday.
A parade of fire vehicles from around the region drove through the heart of Croydon last week to honor the well-liked 56-year-old public servant. A touching and well-attended “last call” ceremony was held Thursday outside the Croydon firehouse.
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“Mike was always joking around. He was a fun guy,” Croydon Fire Company Chief Tom Tryon recalled.
Finnell served as an engineer with volunteer fire company in Croydon and previously served as the chief of the Bucks County Rescue Squad. He was employed at Collision Max and Finnell Auto Body for 40 years.
Tryon said the lifelong Croydon resident was known for his ability to fix anything.
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“If it was one of the trucks, if it was your personal vehicle – he would always find a way to fix it,” the chief said. “We called him Mr. Goodwrench.”
Deputy Chief of the Bucks County Rescue Squad Joe Hayes rode with Finnell on Medic 143 back in the 1980s, he said in relating a story that characterized the man and the firefighter.
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“The squad building was fully involved in fire in the mid 90’s,” he said. “Mike rushed into to save all the ambulances. Unfortunately the garage doors couldn’t be opened because the power was already out, so he put the emergency lights on, queued up the siren and drove the ambulances through the doors. Nuff said”
One local fire fighter who knew Finnell well simply said “he’s going to be missed.”
Finnell leaves behind his wife Linda Vaughan Finnell; his children, Michael J. Finnell (Amanda), Brian T. and Paul E. Finnell. He was brother of Raymond (Kathy), Jack (Julie) and Tommy (Ginny).
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In Finnell’s legacy, contributions in his memory may be made to the Croydon Fire Company, 911 State Rd. Croydon, PA 19021 or to the Homeless Shelter, 7 Library Way, Levittown, PA 19058.
