Michael "Mike" Thomas Finan

Mike was born on September 10, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Emmett B. Finan and Sheila M. Madden. Mike’s family moved to Winter Park, Florida in 1962, where his father worked as an accountant and auditor for the Langford Hotel. Mike’s childhood was full of wonderful and unique experiences as he grew up living at the hotel with his family. Mike loved the olympic sized pool and worked several jobs including lifeguard, comedic performer, in catering, and as a footman for the English wedding cab that ferried newlyweds from the church to the hotel.

Mike attended Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando, Florida where he played soccer and developed relationships with his lifelong friends, Rex and Tina Cook.

Mike was an avid reader and loved history, in 1976 he earned a degree in American History from Florida Technological University (University of Central Florida), and then proudly attended Florida State University (Go Seminoles!) earning a Masters Degree in Public Administration in 1978. Mike was an enthusiastic fan of Florida State football throughout his life and had many hilarious game day traditions with his childhood best friend, Jim Jernigan, who attended Florida State’s rival, University of Florida.

Mike served in the United States Army Reserve for six years operating heavy vehicles and was honorably discharged in December 1977.

Mike and Sally Hutchison were married in 1980 in Tallahassee, Florida and were blessed with two children, Christine and Jennifer. Mike was a loving father who devoted his life to caring for his children and always put his needs second to his family’s.

Mike took a huge leap of faith in 1983 and moved his young family to Austin, Texas where he started his career at Texas Disability Determination Services (DDS) under the Social Security Administration. He began his career as a claims examiner and throughout his 30 years at DDS held multiple positions while serving Texans with disabilities. He retired in 2013 as a Directorate Manager.

Mike enjoyed travel throughout his life taking long road trips to across America and trips to Ireland, central Europe and Italy. While on his travels, Mike fell in love with New Mexico, specifically Cloudcroft, where he took his young family on camping trips and hikes through Lincoln National Forest. Cloudcroft became his favorite place to visit and he regularly made trips there, always keeping up with the ongoings of the quaint alpine village.

Mike loved music and was a self proclaimed audiophile, collecting and enjoying his old 45’s as well as a plethora of treasured LP albums collected throughout his lifetime. He enjoyed tinkering with his stereo sound systems to create the perfect acoustic environment to enjoy his music. Over the past 20 years, Mike was a subscriber to the Austin Opera and would look forward to attending each performance often accompanied by family or his close friend Bruce Pruitt.

In addition to being a wonderful father to his daughters, Mike was also a fantastic grandfather to his four grandchildren. Mike would drop anything to spend time with his grandchildren, reading them books, taking them for walks, going on after school grandpa playdates, helping out with baseball and soccer practices and cheering them on in all their activities as well and caring for them when needed.

Mike was a devoted Catholic, attending church and contributing throughout his life, most recently at Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Buda, Texas.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Sheila Finan, and his brother Emmett Finan Jr.

Mike is survived by his former spouse, Sally Finan; brother Jim Finan; children Christine Jefferson (husband Dr. John) and Jennifer Tyler (husband Harrison); as well as by grandchildren John Jefferson, Abigail Jefferson, Brendan Tyler and Valerie Tyler.

Family and friends are invited to a Visitation on Thursday, September 14th from 5:00 - 6:00 pm, Sharing of Memories at 6:00 pm, and Rosary Vigil at 7:00 pm at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Santa Cruz Catholic Church, 1100 Main Street, Buda on Friday, September 15th at 10:00 am with Interment and Committal to follow at 11:30 am at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park. Afterwards, a lunch reception will be held at Mandola’s Italian Kitchen at 4301 West William Cannon Drive E-1.

In remembrance of Mike's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.