"Evening Times" (Cumberland, Md.),
Monday 29 May 1939:
"Death Ends Momentous Career of Thomas B. Finan, Business Leader.
Expires Late Sunday Afternoon After Two Weeks' Struggle Against Unusual Malady – Activities Covered Wide Scope in Business, Civic, Religious and Financial Affairs.
In critical condition since May 6, when he underwent an emergency appendix operation at Memorial Hospital, Thomas Bernard Finan, of 531 Washington Street, who would have been 61 on June 27, died yesterday at 5 p.m.
Mr. Finan's death was attributed to a streptoccic inflammation of the liver and the veins of the liver. The inflammation spread from a gangrenous ruptured appendix, which was removed in an emergency operation May 15.
Hopes that he would recover were abandoned a week ago yesterday when the spread of the inflammation became apparent. Peritonitis died not develop, as reported earlier, doctors said last week.
Cause of Death Unusual
Dr. Arthur H. Hawkins said the spread of the inflammation to the liver was very unusual, and probably would not happen in more than one out of 15,000 such cases.
Mr. Flynn was unconscious for the last three days before his death. Desperate resorts to the use of the new drug sulfanilamide, as well as two blood transfusions, helped but little.
During the last two days he could be given nourishment only through a stomach tube and by injection of glucose solutions into the veins.
Mr. Finan underwent a major operation last September, but prior to that time he had been in robust health. His life was one of constant activity, and the attack of appendicitis that was to prove fatal came while he was at work in his Frostburg office, where he was receiver of the First National and Citizens banks.
Born in Flintstone
Mr. Finan was born in the village of Flintstone, a son of Irish immigrants. He was one of eight children of the late Patrick and Catherine Finan.
Of formal education he had but little. He attended the village school until he was 14, and then took a business course at Bedford, Pa. While he was still in Flintstone he worked in a grocery store, and at the same time learned the art of telegraphy.
When he was 16, he came to the bustling little city of Cumberland,, and went to work as a clerk for the Cumberland Dry Goods Company. For five years he got sound business training with this firm, then joined the J. O. Orrick and Son Company as cashier.
Became President of Grocery
After two years as cashier, he was promoted to secretary and treasurer. Later he became vice-president. Then in 1913, after he had been with the firm for just thirteen years, he became its executive head.
It was one of the oldest and most substantial firms of its kind in Maryland.
By 1920, Thomas Bernard Finan was one of the leading forces in the life of an expanding city. Increasing activities in other lines led him to resign the presidency of Orrick and Son, and to devote his fullest energy to the tasks of helping to build a modern industrial city, of promoting new and valuable enterprises, of bettering the community life of rich and poor.
In association with some of the younger business men of the city, Mr. Finan was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Dime Saving Bank, which he later helped merge into the Liberty Trust Company, one of the powerful financial institutions of the Tri-State area.
Promotes New Hotel
A new hotel was needed in the city, too, for the Queen City had outgrown the nineteenth century splendor of the old Queen City Hotel. Thomas B. Finan set about to fill this need.
In 1916, the Cumberland Hotel Company was organized, with Mr. Finan as its president, and the Fort Cumberland Hotel, the city's leading hotel today, was the result.
Mr. Finan plunged, too, with his energy and capital into the incorporation of the Footer Dye Works, the largest cleaning and dyeing establishment in the country. He served as president of this nationally known concern, until dynamic changes in the industry finally made the operation of such a large unit no longer practical. He also helped organize and build the Strand Theatre.
Helped Form Liberty Trust
The biggest financial task in which he was engaged, from many standpoints, was the organization of the Liberty Trust Company, which called for the merger of four banks, the Dime Saving, the Third National, the Citizens' Savings, and the Citizens; National. This merger took place in 1920. For a number of years he was secretary of this institution and a member of the executive committee.
Another merger in which he played a prominent part was the merger of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company and the Cumberland Electric Railway Company into a single corporation known as the Cumberland Edison Power Company, of which he was the first president.
This merger was generally regarded as a victory for the City of Cumberland, but was won only after one of the hardest-fought legal battles in local history. The utility was later purchased by the Potomac Edison Company.
Many Other Enterprises
In addition to these major enterprises, Mr. Finan was busy with the incorporation, refinancing, and re-organization of numerous smaller businesses.
At the time of his death, Mr. Finan was a director and vice-president of the Times and Alleganian Company, which publishes The Cumberland Sunday Times; president Cumberland Hotel Company, director of the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, of the First National Bank, of the Kelly-Springfield Tire Company and of the Potomac Edison Company.
Mr. Finan, besides his work as a bank receiver, was also president of Finan, Inc., a real estate, insurance, and bonding firm.
But Thomas B. Finan the capitalist also had time to be ‘Tom' Finan, the civic leader; ‘Tom' Finan was a man who promoted Cumberland, not only with words, but also with hard work. As an example of his local pride, even his business letterheads carried facts and figures boosting Cumberland.
Active in Charity Work
Mr. Finan was one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce, and remained active until the last on the important industrial committee. He gave faithful service, too, to Associated Charities, the Cumberland Community, and other charitable activities.
He was vice-president of the Allegany League for Crippled children, and a member of the board of Keating Day Nursery, President of the Board of Directors of Memorial Hospital, and also a member of the directorate of Allegany Hospital, he was always greatly concerned in the affairs of both institutions.
He was appointed a member of the State Aid and Charities by the late Govenor Albert C. Ritchie, and reappointed by former Governor Harry W. Nice.
Mr. Finan was a member of the Rotary Club, Cumberland Lodge No. 63, B. P. O. Elks and Cumberland Council, No. 586, Knights of Columbus. He was a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church. In politics, he was a Republican.
Mr. Finan was married in 1902 to Miss Mary Maude Dolan, of Cumberland, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Thomas B. Finan Jr.; a daughter, Mrs. F. DeSales Mudd, of LaPlata; and two brothers, Bart J. Finan, and John P. Finan, both of Cumberland. Joseph B. Finan, president of the Times and Alleganian Company and editor of the Evening Time, is a first cousin.
Son is Graduated
Thomas B. Finan Jr. was graduated last week from the University of Maryland Law School.
‘Tom' Finan leaves behind him many friends in Cumberland to which he came as an energetic Irish youngster and which he played a major role in helping build into a modern city of industry, commerce, and community interest.
Pallbearers Selected
The active pallbearers will be Attorney General William C. Walsh, Chief Judge D. Lindley Sloan, Harry A. Pitzer, Phillip J. Arendes, Daniel F. McMullen, Fred T. Small, W. Russell Brewer and George O. Young.
Honorary pallbearers will include Dr. George H. Bennett, Baltimore; Dr. Arthur H. Hawkins, Dr. Thomas W. Koon, J. Glenn Beall, Henry Schriver, Dr. James C. Cobey, Morris Rosenbaum, Edmund S. Burke, W. Wallace McKaig, Harry Footer, Tasker G. Lowndes, John Schwarzenbach, Charles D. Walton, R. Paul Smith, J. Milton Patterson, former Judge Albert A. Doub, Ivan W. Poling, George Henderson, William A. Gunter, George Vang, John H. Glick and Harvey H. Weiss.
The Mayor and City Council today ordered the City Hall flag to be placed at half-staff until the funeral."
Monday 29 May 1939:
"Death Ends Momentous Career of Thomas B. Finan, Business Leader.
Expires Late Sunday Afternoon After Two Weeks' Struggle Against Unusual Malady – Activities Covered Wide Scope in Business, Civic, Religious and Financial Affairs.
In critical condition since May 6, when he underwent an emergency appendix operation at Memorial Hospital, Thomas Bernard Finan, of 531 Washington Street, who would have been 61 on June 27, died yesterday at 5 p.m.
Mr. Finan's death was attributed to a streptoccic inflammation of the liver and the veins of the liver. The inflammation spread from a gangrenous ruptured appendix, which was removed in an emergency operation May 15.
Hopes that he would recover were abandoned a week ago yesterday when the spread of the inflammation became apparent. Peritonitis died not develop, as reported earlier, doctors said last week.
Cause of Death Unusual
Dr. Arthur H. Hawkins said the spread of the inflammation to the liver was very unusual, and probably would not happen in more than one out of 15,000 such cases.
Mr. Flynn was unconscious for the last three days before his death. Desperate resorts to the use of the new drug sulfanilamide, as well as two blood transfusions, helped but little.
During the last two days he could be given nourishment only through a stomach tube and by injection of glucose solutions into the veins.
Mr. Finan underwent a major operation last September, but prior to that time he had been in robust health. His life was one of constant activity, and the attack of appendicitis that was to prove fatal came while he was at work in his Frostburg office, where he was receiver of the First National and Citizens banks.
Born in Flintstone
Mr. Finan was born in the village of Flintstone, a son of Irish immigrants. He was one of eight children of the late Patrick and Catherine Finan.
Of formal education he had but little. He attended the village school until he was 14, and then took a business course at Bedford, Pa. While he was still in Flintstone he worked in a grocery store, and at the same time learned the art of telegraphy.
When he was 16, he came to the bustling little city of Cumberland,, and went to work as a clerk for the Cumberland Dry Goods Company. For five years he got sound business training with this firm, then joined the J. O. Orrick and Son Company as cashier.
Became President of Grocery
After two years as cashier, he was promoted to secretary and treasurer. Later he became vice-president. Then in 1913, after he had been with the firm for just thirteen years, he became its executive head.
It was one of the oldest and most substantial firms of its kind in Maryland.
By 1920, Thomas Bernard Finan was one of the leading forces in the life of an expanding city. Increasing activities in other lines led him to resign the presidency of Orrick and Son, and to devote his fullest energy to the tasks of helping to build a modern industrial city, of promoting new and valuable enterprises, of bettering the community life of rich and poor.
In association with some of the younger business men of the city, Mr. Finan was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Dime Saving Bank, which he later helped merge into the Liberty Trust Company, one of the powerful financial institutions of the Tri-State area.
Promotes New Hotel
A new hotel was needed in the city, too, for the Queen City had outgrown the nineteenth century splendor of the old Queen City Hotel. Thomas B. Finan set about to fill this need.
In 1916, the Cumberland Hotel Company was organized, with Mr. Finan as its president, and the Fort Cumberland Hotel, the city's leading hotel today, was the result.
Mr. Finan plunged, too, with his energy and capital into the incorporation of the Footer Dye Works, the largest cleaning and dyeing establishment in the country. He served as president of this nationally known concern, until dynamic changes in the industry finally made the operation of such a large unit no longer practical. He also helped organize and build the Strand Theatre.
Helped Form Liberty Trust
The biggest financial task in which he was engaged, from many standpoints, was the organization of the Liberty Trust Company, which called for the merger of four banks, the Dime Saving, the Third National, the Citizens' Savings, and the Citizens; National. This merger took place in 1920. For a number of years he was secretary of this institution and a member of the executive committee.
Another merger in which he played a prominent part was the merger of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company and the Cumberland Electric Railway Company into a single corporation known as the Cumberland Edison Power Company, of which he was the first president.
This merger was generally regarded as a victory for the City of Cumberland, but was won only after one of the hardest-fought legal battles in local history. The utility was later purchased by the Potomac Edison Company.
Many Other Enterprises
In addition to these major enterprises, Mr. Finan was busy with the incorporation, refinancing, and re-organization of numerous smaller businesses.
At the time of his death, Mr. Finan was a director and vice-president of the Times and Alleganian Company, which publishes The Cumberland Sunday Times; president Cumberland Hotel Company, director of the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, of the First National Bank, of the Kelly-Springfield Tire Company and of the Potomac Edison Company.
Mr. Finan, besides his work as a bank receiver, was also president of Finan, Inc., a real estate, insurance, and bonding firm.
But Thomas B. Finan the capitalist also had time to be ‘Tom' Finan, the civic leader; ‘Tom' Finan was a man who promoted Cumberland, not only with words, but also with hard work. As an example of his local pride, even his business letterheads carried facts and figures boosting Cumberland.
Active in Charity Work
Mr. Finan was one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce, and remained active until the last on the important industrial committee. He gave faithful service, too, to Associated Charities, the Cumberland Community, and other charitable activities.
He was vice-president of the Allegany League for Crippled children, and a member of the board of Keating Day Nursery, President of the Board of Directors of Memorial Hospital, and also a member of the directorate of Allegany Hospital, he was always greatly concerned in the affairs of both institutions.
He was appointed a member of the State Aid and Charities by the late Govenor Albert C. Ritchie, and reappointed by former Governor Harry W. Nice.
Mr. Finan was a member of the Rotary Club, Cumberland Lodge No. 63, B. P. O. Elks and Cumberland Council, No. 586, Knights of Columbus. He was a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church. In politics, he was a Republican.
Mr. Finan was married in 1902 to Miss Mary Maude Dolan, of Cumberland, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Thomas B. Finan Jr.; a daughter, Mrs. F. DeSales Mudd, of LaPlata; and two brothers, Bart J. Finan, and John P. Finan, both of Cumberland. Joseph B. Finan, president of the Times and Alleganian Company and editor of the Evening Time, is a first cousin.
Son is Graduated
Thomas B. Finan Jr. was graduated last week from the University of Maryland Law School.
‘Tom' Finan leaves behind him many friends in Cumberland to which he came as an energetic Irish youngster and which he played a major role in helping build into a modern city of industry, commerce, and community interest.
Pallbearers Selected
The active pallbearers will be Attorney General William C. Walsh, Chief Judge D. Lindley Sloan, Harry A. Pitzer, Phillip J. Arendes, Daniel F. McMullen, Fred T. Small, W. Russell Brewer and George O. Young.
Honorary pallbearers will include Dr. George H. Bennett, Baltimore; Dr. Arthur H. Hawkins, Dr. Thomas W. Koon, J. Glenn Beall, Henry Schriver, Dr. James C. Cobey, Morris Rosenbaum, Edmund S. Burke, W. Wallace McKaig, Harry Footer, Tasker G. Lowndes, John Schwarzenbach, Charles D. Walton, R. Paul Smith, J. Milton Patterson, former Judge Albert A. Doub, Ivan W. Poling, George Henderson, William A. Gunter, George Vang, John H. Glick and Harvey H. Weiss.
The Mayor and City Council today ordered the City Hall flag to be placed at half-staff until the funeral."
"Evening Times" (Cumberland, Md.),
Monday 29 May 1939:
"Death Ends Momentous Career of Thomas B. Finan, Business Leader.
Expires Late Sunday Afternoon After Two Weeks' Struggle Against Unusual Malady – Activities Covered Wide Scope in Business, Civic, Religious and Financial Affairs.
In critical condition since May 6, when he underwent an emergency appendix operation at Memorial Hospital, Thomas Bernard Finan, of 531 Washington Street, who would have been 61 on June 27, died yesterday at 5 p.m.
Mr. Finan's death was attributed to a streptoccic inflammation of the liver and the veins of the liver. The inflammation spread from a gangrenous ruptured appendix, which was removed in an emergency operation May 15.
Hopes that he would recover were abandoned a week ago yesterday when the spread of the inflammation became apparent. Peritonitis died not develop, as reported earlier, doctors said last week.
Cause of Death Unusual
Dr. Arthur H. Hawkins said the spread of the inflammation to the liver was very unusual, and probably would not happen in more than one out of 15,000 such cases.
Mr. Flynn was unconscious for the last three days before his death. Desperate resorts to the use of the new drug sulfanilamide, as well as two blood transfusions, helped but little.
During the last two days he could be given nourishment only through a stomach tube and by injection of glucose solutions into the veins.
Mr. Finan underwent a major operation last September, but prior to that time he had been in robust health. His life was one of constant activity, and the attack of appendicitis that was to prove fatal came while he was at work in his Frostburg office, where he was receiver of the First National and Citizens banks.
Born in Flintstone
Mr. Finan was born in the village of Flintstone, a son of Irish immigrants. He was one of eight children of the late Patrick and Catherine Finan.
Of formal education he had but little. He attended the village school until he was 14, and then took a business course at Bedford, Pa. While he was still in Flintstone he worked in a grocery store, and at the same time learned the art of telegraphy.
When he was 16, he came to the bustling little city of Cumberland,, and went to work as a clerk for the Cumberland Dry Goods Company. For five years he got sound business training with this firm, then joined the J. O. Orrick and Son Company as cashier.
Became President of Grocery
After two years as cashier, he was promoted to secretary and treasurer. Later he became vice-president. Then in 1913, after he had been with the firm for just thirteen years, he became its executive head.
It was one of the oldest and most substantial firms of its kind in Maryland.
By 1920, Thomas Bernard Finan was one of the leading forces in the life of an expanding city. Increasing activities in other lines led him to resign the presidency of Orrick and Son, and to devote his fullest energy to the tasks of helping to build a modern industrial city, of promoting new and valuable enterprises, of bettering the community life of rich and poor.
In association with some of the younger business men of the city, Mr. Finan was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Dime Saving Bank, which he later helped merge into the Liberty Trust Company, one of the powerful financial institutions of the Tri-State area.
Promotes New Hotel
A new hotel was needed in the city, too, for the Queen City had outgrown the nineteenth century splendor of the old Queen City Hotel. Thomas B. Finan set about to fill this need.
In 1916, the Cumberland Hotel Company was organized, with Mr. Finan as its president, and the Fort Cumberland Hotel, the city's leading hotel today, was the result.
Mr. Finan plunged, too, with his energy and capital into the incorporation of the Footer Dye Works, the largest cleaning and dyeing establishment in the country. He served as president of this nationally known concern, until dynamic changes in the industry finally made the operation of such a large unit no longer practical. He also helped organize and build the Strand Theatre.
Helped Form Liberty Trust
The biggest financial task in which he was engaged, from many standpoints, was the organization of the Liberty Trust Company, which called for the merger of four banks, the Dime Saving, the Third National, the Citizens' Savings, and the Citizens; National. This merger took place in 1920. For a number of years he was secretary of this institution and a member of the executive committee.
Another merger in which he played a prominent part was the merger of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company and the Cumberland Electric Railway Company into a single corporation known as the Cumberland Edison Power Company, of which he was the first president.
This merger was generally regarded as a victory for the City of Cumberland, but was won only after one of the hardest-fought legal battles in local history. The utility was later purchased by the Potomac Edison Company.
Many Other Enterprises
In addition to these major enterprises, Mr. Finan was busy with the incorporation, refinancing, and re-organization of numerous smaller businesses.
At the time of his death, Mr. Finan was a director and vice-president of the Times and Alleganian Company, which publishes The Cumberland Sunday Times; president Cumberland Hotel Company, director of the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, of the First National Bank, of the Kelly-Springfield Tire Company and of the Potomac Edison Company.
Mr. Finan, besides his work as a bank receiver, was also president of Finan, Inc., a real estate, insurance, and bonding firm.
But Thomas B. Finan the capitalist also had time to be ‘Tom' Finan, the civic leader; ‘Tom' Finan was a man who promoted Cumberland, not only with words, but also with hard work. As an example of his local pride, even his business letterheads carried facts and figures boosting Cumberland.
Active in Charity Work
Mr. Finan was one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce, and remained active until the last on the important industrial committee. He gave faithful service, too, to Associated Charities, the Cumberland Community, and other charitable activities.
He was vice-president of the Allegany League for Crippled children, and a member of the board of Keating Day Nursery, President of the Board of Directors of Memorial Hospital, and also a member of the directorate of Allegany Hospital, he was always greatly concerned in the affairs of both institutions.
He was appointed a member of the State Aid and Charities by the late Govenor Albert C. Ritchie, and reappointed by former Governor Harry W. Nice.
Mr. Finan was a member of the Rotary Club, Cumberland Lodge No. 63, B. P. O. Elks and Cumberland Council, No. 586, Knights of Columbus. He was a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church. In politics, he was a Republican.
Mr. Finan was married in 1902 to Miss Mary Maude Dolan, of Cumberland, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Thomas B. Finan Jr.; a daughter, Mrs. F. DeSales Mudd, of LaPlata; and two brothers, Bart J. Finan, and John P. Finan, both of Cumberland. Joseph B. Finan, president of the Times and Alleganian Company and editor of the Evening Time, is a first cousin.
Son is Graduated
Thomas B. Finan Jr. was graduated last week from the University of Maryland Law School.
‘Tom' Finan leaves behind him many friends in Cumberland to which he came as an energetic Irish youngster and which he played a major role in helping build into a modern city of industry, commerce, and community interest.
Pallbearers Selected
The active pallbearers will be Attorney General William C. Walsh, Chief Judge D. Lindley Sloan, Harry A. Pitzer, Phillip J. Arendes, Daniel F. McMullen, Fred T. Small, W. Russell Brewer and George O. Young.
Honorary pallbearers will include Dr. George H. Bennett, Baltimore; Dr. Arthur H. Hawkins, Dr. Thomas W. Koon, J. Glenn Beall, Henry Schriver, Dr. James C. Cobey, Morris Rosenbaum, Edmund S. Burke, W. Wallace McKaig, Harry Footer, Tasker G. Lowndes, John Schwarzenbach, Charles D. Walton, R. Paul Smith, J. Milton Patterson, former Judge Albert A. Doub, Ivan W. Poling, George Henderson, William A. Gunter, George Vang, John H. Glick and Harvey H. Weiss.
The Mayor and City Council today ordered the City Hall flag to be placed at half-staff until the funeral."
Monday 29 May 1939:
"Death Ends Momentous Career of Thomas B. Finan, Business Leader.
Expires Late Sunday Afternoon After Two Weeks' Struggle Against Unusual Malady – Activities Covered Wide Scope in Business, Civic, Religious and Financial Affairs.
In critical condition since May 6, when he underwent an emergency appendix operation at Memorial Hospital, Thomas Bernard Finan, of 531 Washington Street, who would have been 61 on June 27, died yesterday at 5 p.m.
Mr. Finan's death was attributed to a streptoccic inflammation of the liver and the veins of the liver. The inflammation spread from a gangrenous ruptured appendix, which was removed in an emergency operation May 15.
Hopes that he would recover were abandoned a week ago yesterday when the spread of the inflammation became apparent. Peritonitis died not develop, as reported earlier, doctors said last week.
Cause of Death Unusual
Dr. Arthur H. Hawkins said the spread of the inflammation to the liver was very unusual, and probably would not happen in more than one out of 15,000 such cases.
Mr. Flynn was unconscious for the last three days before his death. Desperate resorts to the use of the new drug sulfanilamide, as well as two blood transfusions, helped but little.
During the last two days he could be given nourishment only through a stomach tube and by injection of glucose solutions into the veins.
Mr. Finan underwent a major operation last September, but prior to that time he had been in robust health. His life was one of constant activity, and the attack of appendicitis that was to prove fatal came while he was at work in his Frostburg office, where he was receiver of the First National and Citizens banks.
Born in Flintstone
Mr. Finan was born in the village of Flintstone, a son of Irish immigrants. He was one of eight children of the late Patrick and Catherine Finan.
Of formal education he had but little. He attended the village school until he was 14, and then took a business course at Bedford, Pa. While he was still in Flintstone he worked in a grocery store, and at the same time learned the art of telegraphy.
When he was 16, he came to the bustling little city of Cumberland,, and went to work as a clerk for the Cumberland Dry Goods Company. For five years he got sound business training with this firm, then joined the J. O. Orrick and Son Company as cashier.
Became President of Grocery
After two years as cashier, he was promoted to secretary and treasurer. Later he became vice-president. Then in 1913, after he had been with the firm for just thirteen years, he became its executive head.
It was one of the oldest and most substantial firms of its kind in Maryland.
By 1920, Thomas Bernard Finan was one of the leading forces in the life of an expanding city. Increasing activities in other lines led him to resign the presidency of Orrick and Son, and to devote his fullest energy to the tasks of helping to build a modern industrial city, of promoting new and valuable enterprises, of bettering the community life of rich and poor.
In association with some of the younger business men of the city, Mr. Finan was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Dime Saving Bank, which he later helped merge into the Liberty Trust Company, one of the powerful financial institutions of the Tri-State area.
Promotes New Hotel
A new hotel was needed in the city, too, for the Queen City had outgrown the nineteenth century splendor of the old Queen City Hotel. Thomas B. Finan set about to fill this need.
In 1916, the Cumberland Hotel Company was organized, with Mr. Finan as its president, and the Fort Cumberland Hotel, the city's leading hotel today, was the result.
Mr. Finan plunged, too, with his energy and capital into the incorporation of the Footer Dye Works, the largest cleaning and dyeing establishment in the country. He served as president of this nationally known concern, until dynamic changes in the industry finally made the operation of such a large unit no longer practical. He also helped organize and build the Strand Theatre.
Helped Form Liberty Trust
The biggest financial task in which he was engaged, from many standpoints, was the organization of the Liberty Trust Company, which called for the merger of four banks, the Dime Saving, the Third National, the Citizens' Savings, and the Citizens; National. This merger took place in 1920. For a number of years he was secretary of this institution and a member of the executive committee.
Another merger in which he played a prominent part was the merger of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company and the Cumberland Electric Railway Company into a single corporation known as the Cumberland Edison Power Company, of which he was the first president.
This merger was generally regarded as a victory for the City of Cumberland, but was won only after one of the hardest-fought legal battles in local history. The utility was later purchased by the Potomac Edison Company.
Many Other Enterprises
In addition to these major enterprises, Mr. Finan was busy with the incorporation, refinancing, and re-organization of numerous smaller businesses.
At the time of his death, Mr. Finan was a director and vice-president of the Times and Alleganian Company, which publishes The Cumberland Sunday Times; president Cumberland Hotel Company, director of the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, of the First National Bank, of the Kelly-Springfield Tire Company and of the Potomac Edison Company.
Mr. Finan, besides his work as a bank receiver, was also president of Finan, Inc., a real estate, insurance, and bonding firm.
But Thomas B. Finan the capitalist also had time to be ‘Tom' Finan, the civic leader; ‘Tom' Finan was a man who promoted Cumberland, not only with words, but also with hard work. As an example of his local pride, even his business letterheads carried facts and figures boosting Cumberland.
Active in Charity Work
Mr. Finan was one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce, and remained active until the last on the important industrial committee. He gave faithful service, too, to Associated Charities, the Cumberland Community, and other charitable activities.
He was vice-president of the Allegany League for Crippled children, and a member of the board of Keating Day Nursery, President of the Board of Directors of Memorial Hospital, and also a member of the directorate of Allegany Hospital, he was always greatly concerned in the affairs of both institutions.
He was appointed a member of the State Aid and Charities by the late Govenor Albert C. Ritchie, and reappointed by former Governor Harry W. Nice.
Mr. Finan was a member of the Rotary Club, Cumberland Lodge No. 63, B. P. O. Elks and Cumberland Council, No. 586, Knights of Columbus. He was a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church. In politics, he was a Republican.
Mr. Finan was married in 1902 to Miss Mary Maude Dolan, of Cumberland, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Thomas B. Finan Jr.; a daughter, Mrs. F. DeSales Mudd, of LaPlata; and two brothers, Bart J. Finan, and John P. Finan, both of Cumberland. Joseph B. Finan, president of the Times and Alleganian Company and editor of the Evening Time, is a first cousin.
Son is Graduated
Thomas B. Finan Jr. was graduated last week from the University of Maryland Law School.
‘Tom' Finan leaves behind him many friends in Cumberland to which he came as an energetic Irish youngster and which he played a major role in helping build into a modern city of industry, commerce, and community interest.
Pallbearers Selected
The active pallbearers will be Attorney General William C. Walsh, Chief Judge D. Lindley Sloan, Harry A. Pitzer, Phillip J. Arendes, Daniel F. McMullen, Fred T. Small, W. Russell Brewer and George O. Young.
Honorary pallbearers will include Dr. George H. Bennett, Baltimore; Dr. Arthur H. Hawkins, Dr. Thomas W. Koon, J. Glenn Beall, Henry Schriver, Dr. James C. Cobey, Morris Rosenbaum, Edmund S. Burke, W. Wallace McKaig, Harry Footer, Tasker G. Lowndes, John Schwarzenbach, Charles D. Walton, R. Paul Smith, J. Milton Patterson, former Judge Albert A. Doub, Ivan W. Poling, George Henderson, William A. Gunter, George Vang, John H. Glick and Harvey H. Weiss.
The Mayor and City Council today ordered the City Hall flag to be placed at half-staff until the funeral."
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