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.”
- Jamie Serruto, Eagle Scout 2017
Scoutmaster Fineran Passes Torch to Dan Cannon
Scoutmaster Fineran Passes Away at Age 69
Fineran Way
- May 20, 2018 Fineran Way Street Dedication Press Release
- Fineran Way Streetnaming Timeline
- Fineran Way Speeches
- Press Coverage Fineran Way
- Fineran Way
~Prepared by Committee Chairman Jim McKenna
Upcoming Events
- Thursday, December 5
- Monday, December 9
- Thursday, December 12
- Thursday, December 19
- Thursday, December 26
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- Thursday, January 9
- Friday, January 10