Msgr. Peter G. Finn

Updated with remarks from Funeral Mass.

Msgr. Peter G. Finn, who held leading parish and educational positions in his beloved native Staten Island as well as top seminary and administrative posts for the archdiocese, died March 6. He was 83.

Msgr. Finn was dean of Staten Island, 2015-2019; co-dean of Staten Island, 2014-2015; and co-regional vicar of Staten Island, 1998-2014. His most recent parish assignment was at Blessed Sacrament on Staten Island as administrator, 2013-2019, and pastor, 2007-2013. He retired in 2019.

Msgr. Finn was rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, 2001-2007; served a five-year term as archdiocesan consultor in 2005; was pastor of St. Joseph and St. Thomas, Staten Island, 1989-2001; director of the archdiocesan Office of Communications, 1983-1989; and principal of Msgr. Farrell High School, Staten Island, 1977-1983, where he served on the faculty, 1968-1977.

Msgr. Finn also served as associate superintendent of schools in the archdiocese, 1976-1977, and district superintendent of schools on Staten Island, 1974-1977, and was parochial vicar of St. Catharine’s, Pelham, 1966-1968, and St. Mary’s, Staten Island, 1965-1966. He was named a monsignor in 1986.

A parish vigil Mass was offered Friday, March 11, at 7 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament with Auxiliary Bishop Edmund J. Whalen as principal celebrant and Msgr. James P. Sullivan as homilist. A Funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, March 12, at 10 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament, with Cardinal Dolan as principal celebrant, and Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, Archbishop Emeritus of Baltimore, as homilist.

Cardinal O'Brien had known Msgr. Finn since their seminary days at St. Joseph's, where they were members of the Class of 1965. He credited Msgr. Finn with helping to keep the class together by arranging anniversary Masses and dinners.

The cardinal remembered his friend as "a priest of tireless energy," whether greeting people after Mass, celebrating weddings, or conducting funerals and visiting wake services.

Msgr. Sullivan, speaking of Msgr. Finn, said, “He was a man who could never say no. He was always on the go, responding to people’s needs. He was very close to the people.”

Msgr. Sullivan first met Msgr. Finn at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, in 1964, when Msgr. Sullivan was a first-year student and Msgr. Finn was in his diaconate year before being ordained by Cardinal Francis Spellman at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on May 29, 1965. They later served together at Msgr. Farrell High School and as archdiocesan deans.

“He loved Staten Island,” said Msgr. Sullivan, who served as dean of Dutchess County from 2014 until his retirement in 2019. “He was a native. It was something he was very proud of. He loved the people of Staten Island. He was happiest when he was on his island serving the people.”

Msgr. William Belford, who grew up on Staten Island and is pastor of St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus on Staten Island and the current dean of Staten Island, quoted Msgr. Finn’s high praise of Staten Island as “the pearl of the Atlantic.”

“He was Staten Island’s biggest booster and was always a proud representative of our community,” Msgr. Belford said.

Joseph Zwilling, director of communications in the archdiocese, said, “Although (Msgr. Finn) had no background in communications, when Cardinal Cooke asked him to become the director of the office, his response—as it was throughout his priesthood—was an unhesitating yes.”

“He brought a very pastoral approach to working with reporters, and beyond being available to them professionally to answer their news questions, he was also always there for them as a priest, available to help them confront any personal or spiritual issues they might be facing.”

Msgr. Finn attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and St. Peter’s Boys High School, both on Staten Island.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Manhattan College, the Bronx; master’s of history in education from Richmond College, Staten Island; and a master’s of education in supervision and administration from Columbia University Teachers College, Manhattan.

Burial will take place in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Staten Island.