DAVID THOMPSON FINLEY

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DAVID THOMPSON FINLEY Peacefully on Thursday, March 5, 2009, with family by his side, David passed away at the age of 83 years. Remaining to forever cherish Dave's memory are his beloved wife, Alice; three sons, Harry, Roy (Carol), Stan (Kathy); grandchildren Cole, Devin, (and their mother Sandra), Erica and Lana, step-grandchildren, Rose, George and Emni, as well as his cousin Mary Wannamaker. He was predeceased by his parents Harry and Nina Finley. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Dave was the only child of Harry and Nina. As a young man Dave was hired on with the Canadian National Railway as a machinist and retired from management after almost 40 years of service. He also served in the Navy during the Second World War. Dave and Alice met in Jasper and married in Winnipeg. Working for the railway brought them to Kamsack, SK where their three sons were born, then Melville and back to Winnipeg in Windsor Park. Dave enjoyed building engines, motors, and any machinery he could get his hands on. He and Alice would often escape the winters by travelling to Mexico and during the summer enjoyed their cottage at Gull Lake. Quite an affable guy, Dave could be seen having a smoke and drink with any number of friends and family talking about days gone by. Dave took life in stride. When a serious car accident left him unsteady on his feet, Dave bought a scooter called Little Rascal and could be seen motoring around St. Vital! As Dave's health started to decline it was Alice who looked after him and provided many a good meal. On Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Dave's funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Memories in Wojcik's Funeral Chapel, 1020 Main Street at Manitoba Avenue. Honorary pallbearers will be Ralph Grant, Bob Harris, Paul Newsome and Dave Martins from the Vintage Locomotive Society Inc. Our family would like to express a special thank you to Patrick for the great care given to David. Flowers gratefully declined and donations may be made to The Vintage Locomotive Society Inc., PO Box 33021 RPO Polo Park, Winnipeg, R3G 3N4 or The Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 0R3. Dave, your death signals the end of an era and we will miss you.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 10, 2009