Self-proclaimed gearhead, “Cap’n” and “luckiest guy on Earth,” Alexander James Finigan, 76, passed away suddenly from complications from pneumonia on Sunday, April 9, 2023, with his wife Krista, son Alex and daughter Samantha at his side.
Alex was born on Feb. 10, 1947, in Newark, New Jersey, to Lorraine Warren and Alexander Finigan. Alex grew up in North Arlington, New Jersey, and spent summers with his extended family on the Jersey Shore.
After a short stint at a desk job that he quit by “leaving for lunch and never coming back,” Alex moved to Marblehead, where he met Krista, and together, they created a home.
Alex’s true love was his family and many dear friends. His devotion to his wife and children was complete, as was his joy in his new role as grandfather (or “Poppa,” as he was known to his five grandkids).
Alex was openhearted and unafraid of voicing his feelings, ending almost every phone call, text or email with words of love for whomever he was speaking to, whether it was his family or many friends. He was deeply grateful for the many good things in his life and spoke often of how lucky he felt, how much he enjoyed his life and how happy he was.
Alex’s other true love was cars. His long career working with classic cars began in 1975 when he wandered up to a garage on Pond Street in Marblehead and asked for a job without any real qualification except his passion and self-taught knowledge. There he met Paul Russell, with whom he would work for almost 50 years at Gullwing Service Company and Paul Russell & Company.
Alex became one of the most respected experts in the field of classic cars and facilitated transactions of many of the most valuable cars in the world. More importantly, he was known for his extensive knowledge, his integrity and an uncommon commitment to his many friendships within the car world.
In addition to his passion for the elite classic cars of his professional life, Alex was a true “gearhead” and spent hours in his personal garage restoring a varied stable of cars, from his cherished hot rods to his prized Porsche 356 Speedster that he reconstructed almost entirely by himself.
During the summer when he wasn’t driving one of his cars, Alex could almost always be found on the boat — most recently a CW Hood Wasque named “Gullwing” — where he spent his time relaxing with his friends and family (and a stack of car magazines) and enjoying his wonderful life.
He will be remembered and deeply missed as a most generous, kind and hilarious man.
He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 45 years, Krista Koenig; his daughter Samantha and son-in-law Peter Gorman; his son Alex and daughter-in-law Julia Calzonetti; his five treasured grandchildren, Finley, James, Anna, Jack and Maeve; and his sister, Jane Finigan Stinson. A celebration of life will be held in the coming weeks.
In place of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation to one of the many charities that Alex regularly gave to so generously such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital.Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Finigan family may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com.
I am very saddened by the death of my friend Alex. I first met him nearly 50 years ago and have enjoyed a friendship that was laced with stories of family, friends, cars and boats. Alex was one of the most respected and well known experts, about classic cars, on the planet. There wasn’t a car show on TV where Alex was not seen at some of the most important parties of renowned collectors. All this and Alex’s most attractive attribute was his humility. We all, who knew and loved him, were blessed to be his friend and I am grateful to him for including me as one. It is funny, as I am writing this, I got a flash of his smile and a sound of his laughter. I want his family to know that my family cares…he was quite a guy!!