John Finneran
Location: Salisbury Mills, NY
Since: 2011 — My wife, Dena, and I chose to move to the East Coast – Orange County, NY – from Orange County, California so we could be closer to our children who have all attended college on the east coast. We settled on this part of the Hudson Valley after falling in love with the Caldwell House Bed and Breakfast. Fortunately, for us, the B&B was for sale, so we bought it and have been running it since.
Having grown up in New York – NYC as an infant and a gradual move upstate through my college years – I have always had a deep love for the Hudson Valley.
Dena is a “Navy Brat” who has lived all over the world. This has made here quite adaptable but I am still amazed at how quickly she has fallen in love with the area. In her words, “I’ve been to a lot of places throughout the world but none is as special as the Hudson Valley!”
There is something about the hometown feel here that we just love. Within our first week of living here, people were waving from their front porch or shouting out “hello” as they drove by. We are also very lucky to have Loughran’s Irish Pub literally in our back yard. We have developed some very special friendships during our weekly Thursday visits for their live Irish music.
Age Group: 46-59
Favorite Restaurant: Vinum Café in Washingtonville.
Favorite Movie: The Godfather I & II
Pets: We have 3 dogs. Bailey is a Golden Retriever, Reagan is a Chocolate Lab and Guinness is a West Highland White Terrier – any hint that we are Irish??!!
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time? Golf, read, workout, talk to our guests, watch my NY Yankees and Giants and college Football.
Favorite Season: We particularly love the Fall. The beauty of it is quite breathtaking (plus, it is the start of Football season!) We also love the Spring for the beauty of renewal after the long winter .
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? First, we would set up a charitable foundation and try to do as much good as possible – probably helping to fund children’s educations. Second, we would give some to each of our children and family members. Third, we would do awesome stuff with the property we have at the B&B, and then put some aside just for fun!
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Learn woodworking, write a book.
If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be? We would love to be around when they finally find a cure for cancer. We have been personally touched by cancer (Our son – fortunately it has turned out well) and we would like to see it eradicated.
If I could choose a period to live thru it would be some time during the 19th century in the US..
Which celebrity do you get mistaken for? George Clooney, of course!!!
Where do you work? The Caldwell House Bed & Breakfast
What is your title? Owner and Innkeeper
How long have you worked there? 18 months
What do you love most about your Job? I love all of the people that come to visit us. We have made so many new friends.
What is your Experience and Background in the Travel Industry? Hmmm, I have over 2 million miles flown on United and 3 million Hilton Honors points! Other than that, my background is that of a retired (though still young – 53) CFO of a large west coast energy company.