DAVID FINNEY

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DAVID FINNEY September 5, 1923 - January 17, 2005 It is with sadness that the family and friends announce Dave's passing on the evening of January 17, 2005, following a stroke in early December. Dave was predeceased by his wife Vickie (January 1, 2000); parents Richard and Mary Ann; brothers, Robert, John (Wally), and Glenn. He is survived by his daughter Sandy (Brian) James, and grandsons Colin and Brett James. Dave is also survived by his stepdaughter Fay (Ernie) Krause; stepgrandchildren, Ernie (wife Cathy, son Zach), Lisa Grey (husband Rick, daughter Allysa), Deanna Smith (husband Dan, son Danny), and Shirley Krause; his sisters, Isabelle Tonn and Ruth Kirkland, numerous nieces and nephews across Canada. Dad was born on the family homestead in Grass River, MB, to Richard and Mary Anne (Lorimer). The second youngest of five children. Dad enlisted in the Argyle and Southern Highlanders November 22, 1943, trained at Esquimalt and then on to serve in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. A great deal of his service was spent in the liberation of Holland. Dad was discharged from the service October 9, 1946. Dad came back to Canada and bought himself a Harley Davidson, and proceeded to see Canada. He picked up jobs across the country, mainly in logging camps, until he hit Fort Frances, ON. This is where he met Victoria Kozak. He worked in the paper mill in International Falls for some time. Dad and Mom returned to Winnipeg in 1949, where Dad started with the Canadian Pacific Railway as a brakeman. Dad contracted polio in September of 1953. He spent the next two and a half years in Deer Lodge Hospital, where he eventually managed to move into a wheelchair and regain some dexterity in his hands. By June 1956, Dad was able to walk with braces and started back with C.P. in the Information Office, in the Main Station on Higgins Avenue. With the transition of the passenger service over to VIA Rail, Dad moved at that time to the VIA Rail Station on Main Street, retiring in 1984. Dad was a volunteer with Independent Living Resource Centre for the past 17 years and was still in the office in December 2004. The friends he created there will always remember and cherish his humour as well as his ability to win the football pools. In July 2002, Dad suffered an abdominal aortic aneurysm, his survival prognosis was slim. With his usual persistent strong nature and never give up attitude, he regained enough strength to live on his own again, continue volunteering and be with us a few more years. The family would like to thank the homecare attendants, who every day saw his quality of life was the best it could be: Ponce, Chris, Franklin and Kerry. These gentlemen ensured he was up in the morning and in bed at night. They provided his physical support as well as early morning and evening companionship. Funeral service will be held Saturday, January 22, 2:00 p.m., Sturgeon Creek United Church, 207 Thompson Dr. (Wheelchair accessible). Mr. Ted Batters officiating. Dad had requested donations be made to the charity of one's choice. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 20, 2005