Who is your “Labor Day Hero?”

August 28, 2018

Who is your “Labor Day Hero?” As Labor Day approaches, I paused to think about all of the men and women who worked hard to make Berea the great city that it is today.  Many good people came to mind, but I decided that my “Labor Day Hero” is W.A. “Bill” Finnell.  Mr. Finnell was my grandfather, but his love extended beyond his family to the city he called home. He served as Chairman of the Berea Industrial Development Board for 22 years and was instrumental in marketing our city and helping bring in new employers including Parker Seal, Dresser Industries, Goodyear Aerospace (now Stemco), Suburban Homes (now Hyster) and Keller Aluminum (now Pittsburgh Glass Works).  He played a key role in bringing in good paying jobs with benefits and this diversified our local economy. His efforts led to steady population growth, new residential and commercial construction, and a better quality of life for all Bereans.

Mr. Finnell was also a small business owner, founding Finnell Furniture in 1947 and operating that business until his retirement in 1971. In addition, he served two terms on our City Council and was Chairman of the Berea Planning and Zoning Commission for four years. He set a good example not only for me, but for many who also looked up to him as a mentor and friend. While Mr. Finnell passed away in 1985, we owe him and many others a debt of gratitude for rolling up their sleeves and working hard for the generations to come.