Mark J. Finucane, a dedicated public servant with the Johnson City Fire Department, elite athlete, and devoted husband, passed away peacefully on Aug. 31 at his home in Johnson City. He was 68.
Mr. Finucane was born on Nov. 25, 1956, in Buffalo, N.Y. His dedication to excellence and talent showed early. He attended East Tennessee State University on a track and field scholarship, where he ran with the famed Irish Brigade cross country teams.
He was a three-time NCAA All-American and named Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 1977.
After college, he competed professionally for six years, running across the United States, Europe, and Japan. He set a blazing personal best of 2:11:56 at the Houston Marathon in 1984, finishing third, and claimed the National 10K Road Race Championship.
His accomplishments earned him spots in multiple halls of fame, including ETSU, St. Francis High School, Greater Buffalo Sports, and Western New York Running.
But his most important legacy wasn’t on the track, it was in the community.
In 1987, Mr. Finucane joined the Johnson City Fire Department, where he served for nearly 30 years. He was promoted to assistant chief in 2004 and briefly serving as interim chief. He was known for his leadership, work ethic, and attention to detail.
Mr. Finucane helped train the next generation of firefighters, leading the Northeast Tennessee Regional 500-hour Basic Firefighting School and earned an executive fire officer degree from the National Fire Academy.
Mr. Finucane was appointed by Gov. Phil Bredesen in 2004 to the Tennessee Commission on Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education, and he later chaired the commission, helping shape fire service across the state. He also chaired the 2014 United Way campaign for Johnson City and Washington County, eventually leading its board.
Mr. Finucane who loved the Buffalo Bills and ETSU Bucs, was a longtime member of St. Mary Church in Johnson City, serving as an usher and staying involved in parish life.
He was predeceased by his parents, James and Rosemary McCann Finucane; brother-in-law, Keith M. Stolzenburg; and in-laws, Dr. Joseph and Geraldine LaNasa.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary (LaNasa); sister, Rosanne K. Stolzenburg; niece, Anna R. Stolzenburg; nephew, Eric M. Stolzenburg; and extended family, including Geraldine (Dr. Daniel E.) Anderson, Paula (Vincent) Monaco, and Pia (Eugene P.) O’Connor. He also leaves behind a large community of friends, godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and colleagues who were lucky to know him.
A visitation honoring Chief Finucane’s life and legacy was held on Sept. 11, and a funeral Mass for him was celebrated on Sept. 12 at St. Mary Church, with Father Dustin Collins serving as the celebrant. An inurnment will be held on Oct. 11 at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna, N.Y.
Donations in Mr. Finucane’s memory may be made to The Mark J. Finucane Scholarship, St. Francis High School, 4129 Lake Shore Road, Hamburg, NY 14075 and Up & At ‘Em Inc., P.O. Box 44, Johnson City, TN 37605.