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April 23, 1939- March 10, 2024
John passed on March 10, 2024 surrounded by family after a brief illness. Raised in Oshawa he met the love of his life Freda in high school and they married in 1964. John attended Osgoode Hall Law School and was one of the earliest hires at Smith Lyons where he remained throughout his career including a term as Managing Partner. He guided the firm through periods of substantial growth and an eventual merger with Gowlings. He felt it was important to share his knowledge and skills and spent many years mentoring younger lawyers and devoting hours to the profession through his involvement with both the Ontario and Canadian Bar Association. He lent his guidance to the Ontario Red Cross and Newman Centre at the University of Toronto. Many referred to him as their moral compass.
He and Freda had two daughters, Karen and Leanne and he loved spending time with them, and then his grandchildren, at Ballymuslough, on Whiteside Bay, Lake Muskoka. He was the consummate cottage “putterer” and was equally happy hauling brush into the woods or driving them long and straight at Muskoka Lakes Golf and Country Club. A founding member of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation he felt strongly that the natural elements of Muskoka be maintained and preserved. Winters were spent skiing at Osler Bluff Ski Club and further afield with Freda and the girls. He and Freda loved to travel and explored many places across the globe over the years. His love of Westies was strong and Angus, Robbie, Geordie and Sandy all benefited from his time.
He loved sharing his knowledge of home repair, wine selection, what makes a good martini, and other bits of wisdom with Karen and Leanne, their spouses Ken and Andrew and his grandchildren, Declan and Greer Kelly and Nicky and Kasey Golding. He was proud of them all and travelled to games, meets, graduations and carol services over the years. They will miss his presence at the end of the cottage dining room table immensely. Sharing time as a family was extremely important to him and he proudly presided over the gatherings of the MacDonell and Dancey families.
He and Freda’s love for each other was one for the ages and she often called him her greatest love. He was devoted to her and would do whatever he could to make her smile.
We would like to thank the staff at North York General Hospital, Critical Care Unit for their compassion and care over the last four weeks. They were the resource and shoulder we needed at a difficult time. A funeral and interment has taken place. Details for a Celebration of John’s incredible life will be shared at a later date. If you wish, memorial donations can be made to the Muskoka Conservancy or the charity of your choice.
2024
Morley Bedford Funeral Services Ltd
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario
death notice John Robinson Finley KC
obituaries notice John Robinson Finley KC
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of John Robinson Finley KC and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.