Former local longtime grocer Finnegan dies from COVID-19

Former longtime business owner Ed Finnegan Jr. passed away on Monday, Nov. 30 after contracting COVID-19 and engaging in every reasonable medical intervention to restore his health.
Finnegan, who was living in Gary, SD at the time of his death, owned and operated Finnegan's Super Valu in Minneota for many years before Brad Minnehan purchased it on July 25, 2011.
Minnehan worked for Finnegan in the store from his freshman through senior years in high school as a stock boy/carryout.
One thing Minnehan learned from Finnegan that he still adheres to today is giving back to the community, church and school that supports the store in terms of ordering and packaging and selling food at a discounted price for various functions.
"It was something Ed always did," said Minnehan. "And that's something I took from and continue to do. We help the community because the community helps us."
Karen Swedzinski has worked for the local grocery store for the past 45 years; first for Ed Finnegan Sr., then Ed Finnegan and now Minnehan.
"I've had three bosses and I can't say I've had a bad boss," she said. "Ed (Jr.) was a family-first type of boss. If you had something come up with your family, he would make sure you time off. He was a really good guy. If you respected him, he respected you. He was more than a boss. He was like more like a friend."
The community remembers Finnegan's passion for helping others, too.
"I will always remember Ed for his kindness and thoughtfulness," said Judy Hagen. "He gave great discounts on grocery items purchased for church dinners, benefits and fundraisers. Many people and organizations benefited from his generosity."
"I was always so impressed and thankful that on Thursdays when Ed's vehicle was blacked up to the back door of the store, and he was getting it loaded up with grocery orders for the seniors that couldn't do their own grocery shopping," Joanne Myrvik recalls. "That always impressed me. Ed did whatever it took to take good care of his customers."
"Ed was always very generous to Hope Lutheran Church women, giving a good discount for groceries whenever the ladies did a fundraiser project," remembers Rita Dovre.
Finnegan's, as with all Super Valu chains years ago, would give out Gold Bond stamps whenever anyone made a purchase. The more products purchased, the more stamps a customer would receive. The stamps could then be redeemed for various prizes of your choice.
"My first set of 'good' dishes came from Gold Bond stamps," said Dovre. "There were several other promotions over the years; dishes, cookware and silverware. We once won tickets to a Twins game from Ed. There were several drawings over the years."
Finnegan Jr. followed in the footsteps of his father Ed Finnegan Sr. and grandfather, John, who both previously owned a butcher shop/grocery store in Minneota.
Ed Jr. worked in his father's store and then later went into the grocery business himself, buying the building on the corner of N. Jefferson and 2nd St. that is now Brad's Market.
"After Ed Finnegan sold the store to Brad, whenever Brad had to be gone Ed would run the store for him," said Myrvik. "And Ed was energized and so happy to be doing it."
Finnegan's positivity at work or away from it was infectious.
"Whether it was a wilderness fishing trip, golfing, or at the store, Ed could make you smile or laugh," said Ralph Hagen. "He was thoughtful and did generous things; it was in his nature. He and his wife Ronette held a special place in many people's lives."
A complete obituary for Finnegan Jr. appears in this issue.