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John M Finnegan Succumbs To Heart Attack at Gansett GansettNARRAGANSETT NARRAGANSETT PARK Pawtucket R I June 7 John M Finnegan 50 DAILY RACING FORM telegraph operator was fatally stricken with a heart attack in the press box here today Seemingly in good health he was sitting at his telegraph key when he suddenly collapsed He was taken to the Pawtucket Memorial Hospital in the track ambulance and was pro ¬ nounced dead upon arrival He came to New England with the opening of the cur ¬ rent racing season His press box associ ¬ ates said that they had not heard him complain of illness illnessSurviving Surviving are the widow Jean who re ¬ sides in Nahant Mass a son George of Fort Thomas Ky a daughter Patricia a nurse In Albuquerque N M and a brother Nicholas Finnegan a realtor in New Ro chelle N Y The body will be shipped to Fort Thomas Ky tomorrow and funeral arrangements will be completed at that point pointFinnegan Finnegan was recognized as one of the fastest telegraph operators in the country He also was an excellent receiver but his speed at the key earned him a reputation that extended from coast to coast He was employed by the United Press for about 10 years operating a trunk circuit and its racing wires About 20 years ago he en ¬ tered the employ of DAILY RACING FORM In 1946 he was assigned to the New Eng ¬ land racing circuit Finnegan was highly respected both for his professional skill and character
