December 15, 2011

WATERTOWN N.Y.  —  James J. "J. J." Finnerty, 24, died Tuesday, Dec., 13, in Steamboat Springs, Colo.

The funeral mass will be said 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at St. Patrick's Church, Watertown, with Rev. Donald Robinson officiating with burial following in Glenwood Cemetery. There are no calling hours.

Arrangements are with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown.

Born Dec. 27, 1986, in Boulder, Colo., a son of James P. and Kathleen A. Stone Finnerty, he graduated from Watertown High School, attended Champlain College, Burlington, Vt., and received his associate degree in Liberal Arts from Jefferson Community College, Watertown.

He had worked at Dry Hill Ski Area, Watertown, as a ski and shop technician, as a bartender at the Sackets Harbor Comedy Playhouse, and as a waiter at Carl's Tavern in Steamboat Springs, Colo.

He was a former member of both St. Patrick's and All Souls Unitarian Universalist Churches, both in Watertown. 

He also had been a member of the Boy Scouts of America and the Watertown Hockey Association. J. J. enjoyed skiing, longboarding, lacrosse, hockey, water skiing, hunting, sailing, music, and movies. 

Besides his parents, both of Watertown, he is survived by his maternal grandmother, Betsy Bucher, Venice, Fla.; his paternal grandparents, Dr. James J. and Patricia M. Finnerty, Cohoes, N.Y.; two sisters, Margaret A. "Molly" and Meghan K. Finnerty, both of Watertown; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

A brother, Nathan Meisenheimer, died in June 1981, and a sister, Hannah M. Finnerty, died June 1, 2004.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations in his name to J. J. Finnerty Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Watertown High School, 1335 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601.

Information provided by Cummings Funeral Service and Newzjunky.com, Watertown