John Gilbert Finiello Jr.

John Gilbert Finiello Jr., age 92, born in Philadelphia on October 6, 1928 to Margaret Walsh Finiello and John Gilbert Finiello Sr. passed away on May 10, 2021.

John was raised by his mother after the shooting death of his father, a prohibition agent, in 1930.  After graduation from North Catholic Boys High School, he joined the Air Force where he served his country for 21 years.  While still serving at Kirtland Air Force Base, he met his future wife, Charlene Smith, whom he married in 1964.  After retiring from the military, John attended CNM (formerly TVI) obtaining an electronics certificate after which he worked at GTE Lenkurt for 15 years until the plant closed.

After his second retirement, he enjoyed RVing with his wife.  A devout Catholic, he was a founding member of the Saint Peter and Paul Traditional Catholic Church where he served in several capacities.

John was predeceased by his father, John G. Finiello Sr.; his mother, Margaret W. Finiello; his half-sister, Carmela Habschmidt; nephew, Andrew Habschmidt; and infant son, Michael Anthony Finiello.  John is survived by his wife, Charlene Smith Finiello; and three adult children, James Finiello (Yolanda), Cecilia Castillo (Michael), and Andrea Mills (Jason); seven grandchildren, John, Thomas, William, Domonique Finiello, Emily Castillo, and Jacob and Sophie Mills all of Albuquerque, NM.

John was a flying enthusiast from a young age, learning to fly seaplanes in Philadelphia when he was 16.  Over the years, he owned a couple of airplanes and was a volunteer at the Oshkosh Wisconsin Fly-in for several years.  He collected tools and could fix almost anything.  He was always the neighborhood source for needed tools and advice.

The funeral will be held on Monday, May 17, 2021 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. The funeral will begin with a rosary at 9:00 a.m. followed by a sung high mass at 9:30 a.m.  Burial will be at a later date in Santa Fe National Cemetery.  This is a traditional Catholic church.  We ask that ladies dress modestly and wear a head covering during the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nuestra Senora la Conquistadora (Our Lady of the Conquest) Academy, 5800 Ouray Road NW, Albuquerque, NM  87120 or the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Organization.