Obituary for Wendall Isaac Finneault
Wendall Isaac Finneault age 89 of Groton, MA formerly of Acton and Maynard, MA passed away early Wednesday morning, January 2, 2019 at Apple Valley Center in Ayer, MA after a lengthy illness.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lucille (Allard) Finneault, his two daughters Sandra L. Bean and husband Forrest E. Bean of Acton, MA, Carol A. Sabourin of Ayer, MA, a son Gary D. Finneault and wife Sara A. Finneault of Acton, MA, his two granddaughters Leanne A. Bean of Woburn, MA and Kristen E. Bean Warren and husband Andrew T. Warren of Boscawen, NH, his three grandsons Matthew R. Sabourin of Ayer, MA, Michael F. Sabourin of Boulder, CO, Jeremy R. Fowler of Charlton MA and his great-granddaughter Kinley Lucille Warren of Boscawen, NH.
Born in Biddeford, ME on November 25, 1929 he was the only son of the late Isaac I. Finneault and Grace (Noble) Finneault of Saco, ME and Watertown, MA. Wendall lost his mother at age three and his father married Frances (Emerson) Finneault.
Raised and educated in Saco, Maine and Watertown, MA Wendall graduated from Watertown High School in 1947. Post-graduation Wendall enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served three years during the Korean War. While in the Marines, he trained in Radio technology.
He later attended Northeastern Evening College and graduated with an Associate’s degree in Electronic Engineering. He worked for Sylvania Electric Products for twenty years starting as a junior technician and advancing to Senior Marketing Engineer in Integrated Circuits. Following Sylvania, he was employed by RCA Solid State Division for thirteen years and served in many roles until his final position of Manager of the North East Sales District. He retired from the electronics industry in 1987.
Being a natural leader and concerned about the communities where he lived, Wendall served in many civic roles. In 1963, he was appointed by the Beverly, MA Mayor to serve as Vice Chairman of the Airport and Aviation Commission. During this time, he also served as Vice President of the Upton School Parent Teacher Association. In the spring of 1964, he was Ward Chairman for the Cancer Crusade. At the same time, he served as Membership Chairman of the Beverly Jaycee’s and later received a JCI senator ship. In addition to community roles, he served as a Deacon at the Second Congregational Church in Beverly, MA and was an active member of Acton Congregational Church in Acton, MA.
While residing in Maynard, Wendall was actively involved with the Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce. In 1998, he was unanimously chosen as that year’s recipient of the Kenneth Olsen Award for Maynard Leadership. He served as the Chairman of the Maynard Board for two terms and as Chair of the Membership Committee as well as multiple other committees.
Later in life, Wendall pursued his love of sailing. He and his wife Lou purchased a thirty-two foot sailboat and named it Harmony. They sailed the eastern seaboard and had many adventures with friends old and new. As a sailor and true leader, Wendall served as the Commander of the Minuteman Power Squadron.
Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Wendall on Saturday, January 12th at 11:00am at the Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton, MA. Following the service a reception will be held in Hartman Hall where light refreshments will be served. Interment will be in the Spring at Woodlawn Cemetery, 104 Concord Rd., Acton.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to one of the following organizations:
ALS Association
http://www.alsa.org/donate/
Paralyzed Veterans of America
https://secure.pva.org/Default.aspx?tsid=10242&gclid=CjwKCAiAgrfhBRA3EiwAnfF4tuH8K8J-FLtjf8A3tGfyY22WfrE4soXZC-fmqFpDzvOLF67kxUi5kBoCPlUQAvD_BwE
St. Jude’s Research Hospital
https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_dcm=236375153&sc_cid=kwp70587&source_code=IIQ181010008&ef_id=CjwKCAiAgrfhBRA3EiwAnfF4tuuF77oeh2bTN3K37CcDINeS93r4OgbwGptjtgRPQAEQGDqECpcnxhoCqDcQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!4519!3!322242235614!e!!g!!donate%20st%20judes
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lucille (Allard) Finneault, his two daughters Sandra L. Bean and husband Forrest E. Bean of Acton, MA, Carol A. Sabourin of Ayer, MA, a son Gary D. Finneault and wife Sara A. Finneault of Acton, MA, his two granddaughters Leanne A. Bean of Woburn, MA and Kristen E. Bean Warren and husband Andrew T. Warren of Boscawen, NH, his three grandsons Matthew R. Sabourin of Ayer, MA, Michael F. Sabourin of Boulder, CO, Jeremy R. Fowler of Charlton MA and his great-granddaughter Kinley Lucille Warren of Boscawen, NH.
Born in Biddeford, ME on November 25, 1929 he was the only son of the late Isaac I. Finneault and Grace (Noble) Finneault of Saco, ME and Watertown, MA. Wendall lost his mother at age three and his father married Frances (Emerson) Finneault.
Raised and educated in Saco, Maine and Watertown, MA Wendall graduated from Watertown High School in 1947. Post-graduation Wendall enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served three years during the Korean War. While in the Marines, he trained in Radio technology.
He later attended Northeastern Evening College and graduated with an Associate’s degree in Electronic Engineering. He worked for Sylvania Electric Products for twenty years starting as a junior technician and advancing to Senior Marketing Engineer in Integrated Circuits. Following Sylvania, he was employed by RCA Solid State Division for thirteen years and served in many roles until his final position of Manager of the North East Sales District. He retired from the electronics industry in 1987.
Being a natural leader and concerned about the communities where he lived, Wendall served in many civic roles. In 1963, he was appointed by the Beverly, MA Mayor to serve as Vice Chairman of the Airport and Aviation Commission. During this time, he also served as Vice President of the Upton School Parent Teacher Association. In the spring of 1964, he was Ward Chairman for the Cancer Crusade. At the same time, he served as Membership Chairman of the Beverly Jaycee’s and later received a JCI senator ship. In addition to community roles, he served as a Deacon at the Second Congregational Church in Beverly, MA and was an active member of Acton Congregational Church in Acton, MA.
While residing in Maynard, Wendall was actively involved with the Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce. In 1998, he was unanimously chosen as that year’s recipient of the Kenneth Olsen Award for Maynard Leadership. He served as the Chairman of the Maynard Board for two terms and as Chair of the Membership Committee as well as multiple other committees.
Later in life, Wendall pursued his love of sailing. He and his wife Lou purchased a thirty-two foot sailboat and named it Harmony. They sailed the eastern seaboard and had many adventures with friends old and new. As a sailor and true leader, Wendall served as the Commander of the Minuteman Power Squadron.
Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Wendall on Saturday, January 12th at 11:00am at the Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton, MA. Following the service a reception will be held in Hartman Hall where light refreshments will be served. Interment will be in the Spring at Woodlawn Cemetery, 104 Concord Rd., Acton.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to one of the following organizations:
ALS Association
http://www.alsa.org/donate/
Paralyzed Veterans of America
https://secure.pva.org/Default.aspx?tsid=10242&gclid=CjwKCAiAgrfhBRA3EiwAnfF4tuH8K8J-FLtjf8A3tGfyY22WfrE4soXZC-fmqFpDzvOLF67kxUi5kBoCPlUQAvD_BwE
St. Jude’s Research Hospital
https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_dcm=236375153&sc_cid=kwp70587&source_code=IIQ181010008&ef_id=CjwKCAiAgrfhBRA3EiwAnfF4tuuF77oeh2bTN3K37CcDINeS93r4OgbwGptjtgRPQAEQGDqECpcnxhoCqDcQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!4519!3!322242235614!e!!g!!donate%20st%20judes