Willson FINLAY

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FINLAY: Willson Keith of Rapid City, Manitoba peacefully went to sleep surrounded by his family on August 12, 2009. Keith was born on October 3, 1935 to Gordon and Evelyn Finlay. He was the eldest of four boys and was a big help to Grandpa on the family farm. In 1953, he attended the Ag School in Brandon and met Doug Crawley who became a life-long friend. Upon completion, he returned to the family farm. In 1964, Keith purchased the Bert Westwood farm. On November 6, 1965, he married Bernice Phillips. Together they raised Douglas Keith and Sandra Arlene. In Keith's earlier years, he finished feeder hogs, had a cow-calf operation, and grain land. Then, in 1973, he began his purebred Simmental herd. Doug and Sandy often topped the Rapid City 4-H Beef Club show with home-raised animals. Keith was very pleased this spring when Doug and Hali purchased the land to carry on the Finlay farming tradition. In addition to farming, Keith drove the Mail Truck, worked at U&R/Liberty Tax in Brandon, did bookkeeping for Rapid City Granite, and was the manager of the Rapid City Legion Gardens for several years. He held many positions on the Rapid City United Church Board and was instrumental in the creation of the Rapid City and Area Pastoral Charge. He was a member of the Rapid City Ag Society. Keith always enjoyed time with his family. We all recall the day trips around Manitoba in the Crawley's station wagon headed for "Destination Unknown." We experienced parts of Manitoba that most "locals" don't even get to appreciate. There was many a time that the other seven of us would have turned back if it hadn't been for Keith's words "Keep on a high road and we'll find our way home." Keith was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 1998, then chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2002. Through his long struggle, never once did Keith complain. His standard response, even on his worst days, was "I'm fine." Keith leaves to mourn his loving wife, Bernice; son Doug Finlay (Hali) and daughter SandraGloor (Bart); grandchildren Melanie and Kelsey Gloor and Zane Finlay; brothers: Gene (Anne), Melvin (Susan), and Barry (Evelyn); mother-in-law Ruth Phillips and sisters-in-law Shirley, Pat and Linda, and families, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Keith is also survived by lifelong friends, Doug and Carolyn Crawley and their daughters, Jane and Lois and their families. Keith was predeceased by his parents, Gordon and Evelyn Finlay and father-in-law, Gib Phillips. Funeral Service was held at Rapid City United Church on Tuesday, August 18, 2009. Rev. Barbara Jardine officiated. Pallbearers were Ken Bayes, Ron Bryant, Morley Cornish, Bill Finlay, Ian Finlay and Jay Woloski. Special Honorary Pallbearers were Steve and Bernice Dmytriw, Eric and Norman Fast, Harvey and Barb Foxton, Joan Gloor, Jim and Nancy Greer, Karen Greer, Henry and Lorraine Hales, Mike and Crystal Hollas, Harold (Timer) Hyndman, Allen and Irene Kopeechuk, Archie Londry, Amanda and Larry Sliworsky, Jim and Jean Walker, Mack and Ethel Westwood, Orest and Linda Woloski. Interment followed at the Rapid City Cemetery. Donations in memory of Keith may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 0V9 or to the Rapid City United Church Memorial Fund, c/o Edie Evans, Rapid City, Manitoba, R0K 1W0. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330 "You fought the hard fight and have finished the race. Rest in peace."

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 29, 2009