Thomas and Gertrude Finnigan were married in 1892 and raised seven children ages 4 - 18 when Gertrude died unexpectedly at the age of forty. Thomas was a train conductor for the New York Central Railroad and traveled weekly so as eldest of the children, Charles was given the responsible for running family affairs. In spite of the family demands, Charlie graduated from Buffalo Technical institute and secured a position with the NY Telephone company.

Charles was 25 when he met Marie Jacobs, a beautiful, charming lady full of happiness and surprises. Charlie and Marie took frequent day trips in Charlie's 1915 Ford to Niagara Falls, along Lake Erie and to Lockport and Rochester. Charlie and Marie were married in 1923 and began family life in the duplex in Tonawanda. Soon Jim, Jerry, Bob and Denny joined them and Kathleen was on the way. The family moved to a new home in Cheektowaga where John and Paul soon arrived.

In 1938, tragedy struck when Marie and newborn Shelia died unexpectedly and Charlie was left to care for his six boys 2 - 12 and a Kathleen 6. Needless to say, the challenges to the family of dealing with the loss,  bagging lunchs for 7, cooking dinners, cleaning, laundry and other motherly duties were overwhelming. And the State of NY's was watching for reasons to place the children in orphanages, a heart wrenching thought for Charlie.!

But who took care of the little ones of preschool age, or the whole family after school and during summer vacations? Who replaced the mother's love and hugs and teaches kindness in the way only mothers can? How did Charlie deal with the idleness that is the devil's workshop?

Charlie took control, enlisted help of family, friends, the church and school. He hired housekeepers who failed to control a family of 7.  The prospect of a step mother proved out of the question.  But Charlie found ways to manage the children and in the end was able to lead his family to education, successes, greatness and in the end created families of their own!  In simple terms, it took a lot of work and a lot of loving!

All the boys served in the military. All the children graduated from college.  !

• Jim served as B29 Pilot in WW Il, adviser to Korean Air Force and a USAF career as Flight Safety Officer.
• Jerry served as a Marketing Executive with Owens Corning Fiberglass introducing safe insulation.
• Bob was Inventor of FINNIGAN GC/MS for hospitals, EPA and drug ID centers worldwide.
• Denny served as EVP of the Management Systems for SRI International serving CEOs worldwide.
• Kathleen directed a Nationwide Bridal Program with Macy's Stores creating "wonderful weddings".
• John served as Developer of medical Systems including 1st Red Cross Blood Bank for Lockheed Martin.
• Paul was Founder and Inventor of Voicemail® Services introduced by Telecoms Worldwide.

The Finnigan Family earned incredible awards:

• Awarded the Winston Churchill Medal of Wisdom.
• Inducted to the American Chemical Society Hall of Fame.
• Inducted to the Swedish Royal Order of the North Star.
• Conferred Knighthood by the King of Sweden.
• Inducted to the SRI International Alumni Hall of Fame. (2 boys)
• Elected President of the International Voicemail Association.
• Earned FAA Private Pilot's license with instrument rating. 
  

So how did Charlie, in a time of the great depression and a world war deal with the adversity at home and a career in telephony at the same time? How did he lead his family from a travesty to incredible inventions, global consulting, outstanding awards and familiies with 29 grandchildren? 

              TO FIND OUT - READ THIS INCREDIBLE STORY!