Name: Visitation for Donald John Finlay
Start: 2017-01-06T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-01-07T02:00:00.000Z
Location: Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc. - Shelby Township

FINLAY

DONALD JOHN Born June 29, 1927 in Sydney, Australia. Loving husband of Doris for more than 60 years. Survived by his children, Mary Ellen (Tim) Quaine, of Ortonville, and Elizabeth Jane (Chuck) Mueller, of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren, Erin and Russell Quaine, Elizabeth and Allison Mueller; nieces and nephews living in Canada; cousins in Australia. Son of the late John Thomas Finlay and Amy Beatrice Hughes Finlay, of Sydney. Retired from The Detroit News after working as a printer for 23 years. He loved traveling, having met Doris while in London during Queen Elizabeth's coronation. He was a 20 year member of Friendship Force of Greater Detroit, hosting foreign visitors and traveling to many countries. Charter member of St. Thomas Presbyterian Church, Shelby Twp. He was a member of Mississauga Lodge No. 524 A.F. & A.M. in Port Credit, Ontario. Lifetime member of Utica-Macomb Lodge No. 54 F. & A.M. with most recent 10 year membership in Stony Creek Lodge No. 5 F. & A.M. in Rochester, Michigan. Giving time and energy to his community was vitally important to him throughout his life. He was a longtime volunteer for St. John's Ambulance in Sydney and Toronto, Canada; he continued at Beaumont Hospital and Henry Ford. An avid reader and historian, he also loved volunteering at Switzer Elementary: listening to the children read and giving presentations about Australia and Canada. Memorial visitation Friday, January 6, 3-9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Masonic Service at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc. (Shelby Township), 54880 Vandyke at 25 Mile Rd. Memorial service Saturday, January 7th 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Community Presbyterian Church, 55355 Mound Rd. (N. of 25 Mile Rd). In lieu of flowers, donations to Switzer Elementary School and St. Thomas Presbyterian Church are greatly appreciated. Share memories with the family at their "On-line Guest Book" at

WujekCalcaterra.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Detroit News & Detroit Free Press on Jan. 4, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Finlay

10 Entries

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Lee Wood

January 4, 2017

Forever grateful for knowing Don and for his gracious gift of time and warm friendship he gave to me. Wonderful, compassionate and generous always in his caring attitude toward others. I will always hold good memories of our visits and learning from Don. Peace and comfort to Doris and the entire extended Finlay family.

Susan George

January 2, 2017

I am so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed when Mr. Finlay would stop by to share something of interest to my 4th graders at Switzer. He was alway so giving of his time and talents, Two years in a row, he designed and taught a lesson for my students on Australia. How the kids loved handling the boomarangs and other items! They weren't as thrilled, however, with the Vegamite on crackers. Judging by the slight smile on Mr. Finlay's face, he maybe secretly enjoyed their facial expressions as they tasted it. He will be missed and fondly remembered.

Terri Dinwiddie

January 2, 2017

So sad to hear about Donald's passing.

Howard and Marilyn Quaine

December 31, 2016

We are so saddened by the loss of Don. We have enjoyed his company throughout the years at family functions, and he will forever be remembered by all! Our heartfelt sympathiies go out to the Findlay Family, but Don is resting now and we can only find comfort in knowing he is at peace. Love to all!

The Wujek-Calcaterra Family

December 30, 2016

May we continue to honor and respect all the lessons we have learned; acting as living symbols of a loving spirit. You are in our prayers.

December 26, 2016

deepest condolences to you and yours. -- The Lombardini family.

Susanne Elmy

December 22, 2016

Doris, MaryEllen and family, Don was such a character, I met him at the Oakland County Farmers Market and he would pass out the hand cream to shoppers, such a nice man. I am so sorry for your loss, May God keep you in his safe embrace during this difficult time.

Cathy Koss

December 22, 2016

Mr. Finlay was a favorite visitor to Switzer Elementary School. He always had a story to tell of all the interesting places he and his wife and family had been. One of our favorite things he did for us in the school office was to introduce us to this yummy, salty, tar-like substance that would keep us alive if we were ever to do a walk-about in the Australian bush! That Vegimite stuff will kill you! We thought we'd die!!!! He was so nice and kind, he was missed and we are sorry for the family as he was just a nice guy! Cathy and Nancy

Bonnie Lawrence

December 21, 2016

Doris, Mary Ellen, Jand and grandchildren,
I am so sorry for your loss. Enjoy your memories of Don - laugh or cry when thinking or speaking about him. He is now free of pain and lives forever in your hearts.
Bonnie Lawrence

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