In Memory of Ken Fineran

Now, may the Great Scoutmaster, keeper of all good Scouts, be with us until we meet again.

Kenneth Fineran (1946-2016)

Troop 17 Scoutmaster, March 1979 – September 2015

Ken Fineran was active in Scouting for 57 years! As a Scout he achieved the rank of Eagle in 1962 and received the Order of the Arrow Vigil honor in 1964. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 19, Panama Canal Zone, while on duty with the US Army. In addition to his long-time service to Troop 17, he served as Commissioner for Essex Council and the Orange Mountain District. Ken received numerous awards for his contributions to Scouting, including the Silver Beaver Award (the highest award a council can bestow), the Unit Leader Award of Merit, Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, and was inducted into the Lenape Trail District’s Hall of Fame.

Mr. Fineran served as the Scoutmaster of Troop 17 for 36 years (from March of 1979 until September of 2015). In that time, he helped hundreds of Scouts develop into capable and respectful young men. Through his guidance 89 Scouts in Troop 17 achieved the rank of Eagle. Several of Mr. Fineran’s Eagles went on to become lifelong friends with their Scoutmaster.

Though he did not have children of his own, Mr. Fineran touched the lives of so many, in ways that are simply immeasurable. As a small example of the impact he has had, many of Mr. Fineran’s Eagle Scouts went on to be active in Scouting, some moving away and running their own Troops, and others coming back to support Troop 17 (eight Fineran Eagles are currently active adult volunteers in Troop 17).

Highlights from 57 Years in Scouting

Achievements as a Scout
Cub Scout Arrow of Light 1956

Eagle Scout Award (Troop 28, East Orange) 1962

Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor 1964

Achievements as a Scouter (Adult Volunteer)

Scoutmaster Troop 19, Panama Canal Zone 1968 - 1971

Scoutmaster Troop 17, Short Hills NJ 1979 - 2015

District Award of Merit 1981

Wood Badge 1984

Silver Beaver Award 1986

Council Commissioner (Essex Council BSA) 1994 - 1997

James E. West Fellow 1994

District Commissioner 2002 - 2005

Distinguished Commissioner (O.M.D.) 2008

Scoutmaster National Scout Jamboree 1985 & 2005

Staff - Centennial World Scout Jamboree 2007

Vice Chairman Program, Orange Mtns District 2005 - 2009

International Scouter’s Award 2009

Fifty-five Year BSA Veteran Recognition 2014

Staff - National Scout Jamboree 2010

National Council BSA Local Council Repr. 2011 - 2016

NNJC Risk Management Chair 2011 - 2016

NNJC Executive Board member 2011 - 2016

Outstanding Eagle Scout Award 2012

Staff - National Scout Jamboree 2013

Lenape Trail District Hall of Fame 2014

Unit Leader Award of Merit 2015

“Mr. Fineran has inspired me to do my best. He has inspired me to go above and beyond. And through his example, he has inspired me to give back to the community and other causes.”

Ryan Cannon, Eagle Scout 2018

“As an Eagle Scout under his guidance, I have experienced first-hand how the infrastructure and well-being of our town has evolved as a result of Scoutmaster Fineran’s sacrifices and leadership focused on good citizenship and service to others.”