Jerome Conlan Finefrock, 85

August 31, 2025

Jerome Conlan Finefrock, 85, passed away Sunday August 31, 2025 after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Michaeleen, his four daughters Elaine, Jennifer, Julie, and Camille, his sons-in-law Colin and David, and his five grandchildren Jeffrey, Jude, Roan, Seamus, and Magnolia. He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard Lester Finefrock and Kathryn Lucille Finefrock (nee Conlan) of Alliance, Ohio, and his loving grandparents, Ella Bertha and Francis Joseph Conlan.

Born in Alliance, Ohio in 1940, Jerry attended John Carroll University, where he studied History, Philosophy and Political Science and was active in the ROTC. He earned his law degree from the University of Akron after having served as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s 8th Infantry Division in Germany. He worked as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice in Cleveland, Ohio in both the Antitrust Division and the Organized Crime Task Force before moving to Lancaster, PA in 1978 to take a position as legal counsel with Armstrong World Industries, where he worked until 1992. He eventually went into private practice before retiring in 2020 at the age of 80.

Michaeleen and Jerry met at a Catholic Singles mixer in Akron, Ohio in October 1967. “Mike” was swept away by Jerry’s extensive knowledge of history and politics; she called him a “walking encyclopedia.” They married in August 1968. Jerry paid his way through law school by working as a salesman for the East Ohio Gas Company, and he and Mike started their family in 1969. When he graduated in 1970, he was designated as an Honor Law Graduate by the Attorney General of the United States.

Jerry was an avid reader, an amateur historian, and a life-long learner with a special interest in politics. He taught himself to sail in his 40s and developed a love of the water that led him to own and operate Hans Christian Yachts in Annapolis, MD in the 1990s. His hobbies included fencing and making stained glass art. He was an enthusiastic model railroader.

Jerry was active in his parish, Sacred Heart of Jesus, in many capacities since 1978 and was a member of his neighborhood prayer group for 45 years. He was a proud member of the Elks and was a Past Exalted Ruler of Lancaster Lodge #134 B.P.0. He was also a member of the Lancaster Fortnightly Club, the Cleveland Knights of Columbus, and the Cleveland Grays.

His wit and wry sense of humor will be greatly missed.

Friends will be received on Saturday September 6, from 10:00-11:00am at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 558 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA, with a funeral Mass to follow at 11:00am. Private interment in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.