Finello Bids Farewell As Warminster District Justice

WARMINSTER, PA —He retired at the end of the year, but Daniel Finello Jr. was at the township's reorganization meeting.

Finello was replaced as the Magisterial District Judge by former Warminster Township Police Cpl. Chris O'Neill, who won the Nov. 7 general election.

But Finello made an appearance on Jan. 2 in his new role as a senior judge to swear in new Township Supervisor Chuck Heybach. Heybach had requested Finello and it was cleared by township officials with O'Neill.

At the township's last meeting of the year on Dec. 14, Warminster Township Supervisors paid their respects to the judge who was often a regular at meetings, swearing in numerous police officers who were new or getting promoted, township officials who were elected or re-elected and the township's first-ever full-time firefighters.

"We want to give recognition to someone who devoted a lot of his life to Warminster Township," said Kenneth Hayes, who was the supervisors' chairman at the time. "This takes a toll on you."

Finello was presented with a plaque for his 20 years of service.

"You've been here way longer than I have," Hayes said. "You've been a fair justice. You've done a wonderful job. We will miss him."

State Rep. Brian Munroe presented Finello with a citation from the state House of Representatives.

"When you've served for two decades, you get a citation," said Munroe, a former township supervisor. "I've known you over two decades."

Finello received a standing ovation from the packed meeting room. And took the microphone.

"I appreciate the accolades," Finello said.

Finello got emotional as he talked about starting out at LaSalle College, how his father was a World War II veteran and his mother was a stay-at-home mom.

He acknowledged his wife Nora who has been his "partner in crime for 50-something years." He mentioned his daughter Christina, a member of the Ivyland Borough Council.

"I truly appreciate the recognition and the opportunity to serve the voters of Warminster," the judge said. "It has been an honor and a pleasure."