LEE, Mass. — Edward J. Finnegan, 72, passed away unexpectedly at his home Tuesday morning, July 12, 2016.

He was born in Lee on March 26, 1944, the son of Henry and Dorothy Donovan Finnegan. He graduated from Lee High School in 1961. 

Ed served in the Army National Guard in the 1960s. In 1971 he joined the Lee Police Department and in 1977 he became Chief of the Department until his retirement in 1994. From 1988 to 1989 he was 2nd Vice President of the Western Massachusetts Chief of Police Association; from 1990 to 1991 he was the 1st Vice President; from 1992-1993 he served as President. As Chief, he was the first in Berkshire County to be elected to the executive board of Mass Chiefs of Police Association. He also belonged to NEOA (Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association) of New England. 

After his retirement from the Police Department, Ed worked for Dresser Hull Company and Greenock Country Club. He served on the Capital Outlay Committee for four years for the Town of Lee and from 2007 until present he was a member of the Finance Committee. In the 1980’s he coached Lee Youth Football and Lee Little League. He was a member and past Board member of the Greenock Country Club and a retired member of the Lee Fire Department. 

Ed is survived by his wife, the former Lorraine Scarafoni, whom he married on October 12, 1965; one son, James Finnegan and his wife Carolyn of Lee; one daughter, Michelle Bombardier and her husband Matthew of Lee; one brother, Thomas Finnegan and his wife Jeanne of Lee; two sisters, Margaret “Dolly” Beckwith of Great Barrington and Eleanor Bartini of Lee; a brother-in-law, William Bartini of Lee; four grandchildren, Lauren Neales, Adam Finnegan, Colin Finnegan and Lucas Bombardier; a great-granddaughter, Raegan Dennis; and several nieces and nephews. 

He was predeceased by another sister, Ritamarie Pierce.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Edward Finnegan will be on Friday, July 15, at 9:15 a.m. from the Kelly Funeral Home in Lee with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Lee. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. 

Visiting hours will be on Thursday, July 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Friends wishing may make donations to the Lee High School Golf Booster Club or the Jimmy Fund in c/o the Kelly Funeral Home 3 Main Street Lee, MA 01238.