Wayne J Finley

Wayne J. Finley (76) of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota passed away on February 10, 2024. He was raised in Brooklyn Center by his parents, Tex and Ruth Finley, as the oldest of five children. He attended Earle Brown Elementary (grades 1-6) in Brooklyn Center, Lincoln Junior High School and Patrick Henry High School (grades 7-9) in Minneapolis, and Brooklyn Center High School (grades 10 -12) graduating in 1965. He attended North Hennepin Junior College and St. Cloud State College, graduating in 1969 with a degree in Education. His first teaching position began in the fall of 1969 at Earle Brown Elementary School in Brooklyn Center where he taught for over 30 years, less than a mile where he grew up and raised his family.

You are invited to join family and friends at a Celebration of Wayne's life at Brooklyn Center Elementary School (FKA/Earle Brown Elementary) on Saturday, April 27, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. located at 1500 59th Avenue North, Brooklyn Center, MN. The celebration will be in the school cafeteria where your memories of Wayne's life can be shared with others who knew and loved him.

Family was important to Wayne. He loved and encouraged his four younger siblings growing up in the Finley family home on Bryant Avenue North in Brooklyn Center, along with about 30 other kids living on the block. He loved and supported his two sons, Tane and Deke, as their dad and coach. When his two beautiful granddaughters, Brenna and Ruby, came into this world, he adored and treasured them, by going beyond what most grandpas do when…he had their names tattooed on his arm. Wayne was a wonderful and caring friend to many people throughout his life; his kindness and generosity knew no bounds.

Wayne's legacy in Brooklyn Center lives on in the lives of hundreds of students he taught at Earle Brown Elementary School, along with the other teachers and staff who he remained in contact with after his retirement. At an early age in elementary school at Earle Brown, some teachers' comments on his report cards gave an indication of what an exceptional teacher he would become: "Wayne is cooperative and takes part in all the activities in the room. He is kind and helpful to the slower pupils. He whispers too much and fusses around a lot, but I like him and am glad he is in my room. Wayne tried to do everything he could to make our room a pleasant one."

As one student said who was in Wayne's first elementary school class of 1970 "It was exciting to have the coolest teacher with sideburns, floral shirts, large collars and wide ties. The peace sign on the window of your 1964 Chevy iced the cake. Thank you for caring. You gave way more than you took".

Wayne also coached and mentored hundreds of young people in hockey, football, soccer and baseball. A common thread running through his years of coaching is how he welcomed and encouraged kids of all abilities to do their best. He competed as a Centaur at Brooklyn Center High School (BCHS) in baseball, football and hockey (wearing jersey #12). And was especially proud of his 34+ years he spent coaching many youth teams and the BCHS boys' hockey team.

Wayne enjoyed the past 12 years of his retirement living on the island of Molokai, Hawaii. He loved the slow island life and became friends with the many people he met there. He moved back to Brooklyn Center in November 2023 and spent the last few months of his life re-connecting with friends and family.

Wayne is survived by his two sons, Tane Finley and Deke Finley, two granddaughters, Brenna and Ruby, sister and brother-in-law, Sue (Finley) & Ken Ribe, brother and sister-in-law Dan & Bonnie Finley, and brother Dave Finley. He was preceded in death by his parents Tex and Ruth Finley, brother Gary Finley, and sister-in-law Michele Finley (Dave's wife).

After moving back to Minnesota, Wayne made the decision to support medical education and research by participating in the University of Minnesota's Anatomy Bequest Program. With this donation, he contributed to the education of future generations of health professionals trained at the University of Minnesota. His family was very moved to receive notification that an individual also received the gift of sight with an implant of Wayne's cornea.

To continue Wayne's legacy, please consider a donation in his memory to The Centaur Foundation. Visit their website for more information:
https://www.bccs286.org/our-district/centaur-foundation
Donations can be mailed to:
Brooklyn Center High School
c/o The Centaur Foundation
6500 Humboldt Avenue North
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430