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Jon FINLAYSON Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Herald Sun.
40 Entries
RICHARD BOULEZ
August 29, 2015
THANK YOU JON FOR BEFRIENDING A NEW AUSTRALIAN IN 1976. YOUR ORANGE CAKE AND SENSE OF ENTHUSIASM STILL LINGER AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. TOMORROW IN WARSAW, POLAND I WILL LIGHT 7 CANDLES FOR YOU.DO WIDZENIA MOJ PRZYJACIEL
Carol-Anne Croker
September 14, 2014
Two years. Sadly missed. So many performers have joined you now Jon. What a review you must be rehearsing up there.
September 13, 2014
Can it really be two years. I still spend the walk to the bus chatting to him about the latest crossword from DA and scurrilous rumour about anybody who might qualify!
Dare say, he's caught up with Ewing by now and hilarity reigns!
Helen & Neil M
September 12, 2014
It's two years since you left, but there's not been a day gone by that you've not been thought of and oh so dearly missed.
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Val Lehman
October 20, 2012
Goodness groceries how exstrawberries, Jon you leave such a gap in my life,the stories, gossip, meals,the art, exchange of recipes, and your incredible capacity for friendship. If this country had any regard for creative spirit you would have been made a national treasure..
A self portrait
Darren Brealey
October 20, 2012
Helena Stolman
October 19, 2012
Thanks for the entertainment & those fabulous parties Jon!
October 15, 2012
JON FINLAYSON
I suspect over the years there have been more days and nights spent reliving our time with Jon than the actual time we spent with him. A visit or outing with Jon always brought new stories which we delightedly spoke of then and today and shall continue to enjoy reminiscing. Jon brought us the colour of life which will long be remembered.
Adam Mullenger, Roger Savannah and Barbara Harper
Harold Aspinall
October 14, 2012
I used to enjoy the drive over to Bittern to chat for a couple of hours over a few glasses of red. Damn - I'll miss you.
Carol-Anne Croker
September 27, 2012
I am saddened to think that over the last few years we lived so close to each other on different sides of 'the Peninsula'. How sad we theatre people drift apart when we are not sharing wine and canapes at Opening nights and soirees in Melbourne. Will never forget your sage advice to me at the beginning of my career and our quiet night in the Circle at The Prinny waiting for the appearance of Federici, after the opening of The Magic Show. Music theatre did it tough in the seventies but great performers graced our stages and never became the household names like today's leads.You were a unique actor with the perfect comedic timing and razor sharp wit. Rest in peace Finno.
John Bird
September 25, 2012
So many wonderful, funny memories, Tassie, Richmond, Roast duck with cherries.
kay scott
September 24, 2012
Thanks for all the laughs , your generous hospitallity , and the Orange Cake Recipe, Dear Jon ,.... well done . Love Kay Scott
Lindy Cameron
September 23, 2012
I will miss your fabulous stories Mr Finlayson. Take charge of your new stage Jon, and wow that waiting audience!
Michael Shrimpton
September 23, 2012
Well, I'm about to leave home, to catch a plane to Melbourne. Buzz has asked me to MC your Memorial....STOP Laughing!
We've had more running orders than Countdown! There will be a portrait of you just over my right shoulder, so, if I dry, prompt.
Is this all a dream? Bugger it. No. God Bless.
We will both miss you Jon
Paul Clark
September 23, 2012
Anne Braun
September 23, 2012
FINLAYSON - Jon, Dearest Jon (Finno),
We were out in the garden today and thought of you....Wonderful memories of you living in Elwood where we first met. Scrumptious entertaining there and at Bittern, Noel Coward evenings, art shows, weekends at Somers with the gang, long phone chats and your quick wit and style.
You are deeply missed, Anne, Peter, Kat & Chris Braun
Paul Clark
September 22, 2012
Memories of Jon Finlayson
There are those special friends in your life that you know you've been lucky to meet. Not just after they're gone, but while you are in their company. Jon was one of those people to me.
It was my good fortune to become acquainted with Jon just a few weeks after moving to Melbourne from Houston in 1994.
I was invited along to the first of many memorable weekend lunches at his home in Elwood. What a world that opened up for that rather lonely “too-tall Canadian” (as Jon was fond of calling me), and Jon and I fast became friends. He graciously opened his home, friends and family to me, even inviting me to lunch at Roe's house that first Christmas in Australia. That was Jon, taking in orphans, sometimes to a fault, offering all that he had. And what riches he shared.
The web site Boot Hill celebrating the lives of actors in Westerns film captures it well: The hospitality of the Finlayson household was renowned. His Sunday soirees, when he entertained visiting and local show-biz folk, are legendary and he baked bread, mixed drinks, carved ham, and staged these events with great flair.
Somehow he always knew when and how to reach out, calling with a dinner offer when I was feeling down and out in my rather austere Hardware St flat. Jon was never short on quips. “Care to join me for dinner?” “Oh Jon, I've just put spaghetti on.” “Really, how does it look?”
When I met Paul later the next year, Jon embraced “Paulo” without hesitation and he was also taken in to the fold. Jon was a real “keeper” and we all three remained good friends over the years.
I left Melbourne in '95 but was fortunate enough to return on assignment twice more. Of course it's not the skyline that makes a city special, it's the people you know that makes it feel like home, and Jon was an essential part of “my Melbourne”. I didn't see Jon as much as I would have liked after his move to Bittern, but was still fortunate enough to visit him at his new home a number of times, including for those memorable Christmas lunches.
Jon, our world is less for your passing, but you live large in fond memories. We where blessed in having him in our lives, we will miss you.
Doug Wilson ???
Catherine Clarke-Jones
September 22, 2012
"Sail away, sail away;
Sail away, sail away..."
Farewell Jon
Catherine
Patrick Edgeworth
September 20, 2012
Shakespeare tells us in Hamlet how he hated actors changing his lines. I'm with him. But when Jon was appearing in the TV Gold Rush series, Cash and Company, he came up with something that I loved. In his role as an actor-manager he was addressing the audience prior to the performance. I'd written something mundane like "Charlie Cousins will be playing the gravedigger".
Jon suggested he used the terminology of the day: "Mister Cousins will be giving you his gravedigger and I shall give you my Hamlet!".
Beautiful. Thanks Jon.
Ngaire Ravenswood
September 20, 2012
So you're finally on email!
Oh, how we'll miss you, Jon--Lady Mondegreen, Round John Virgin, Barbara Seville, all of us. Who will we tell the jokes to, now? Each other, I suppose, and we'll hear you laughing (and coughing, you obstinate bugger). Love, always, Ngaire
Rory Sutton
September 20, 2012
Finno ... you are hard to forget ... the rabbit stew (or whatever!) cooked in chocolate something or other was a feast to treasure, let alone the laughs. Keep the parties going ... inevitably we shall catch up with you ... thanks Jon ... Rory
Jerry Finlayson
September 19, 2012
Dear Cousin, whom sadly, I've never met. My first awareness of you came over 40 years ago, when your father spoke proudly about you. And now I understand why. Through these tributes I see you were blessed with many friends. They remember and will miss your goodly share of talent, charm, wisdom, wit and warmth! We must get together someday Jon... save a seat at the table, we've a lot of catching up to do!
deborah Shrimpton
September 19, 2012
From the ballet studio to directorial table in theaters all over the world from age 7 to 47 you were a part of my journey and always will be.
x
Sharni Shrimpton
September 19, 2012
You are in my parents wedding photos. I am told you were there when i was born. You were just there. Always just there. East Lyn (or lynne not sure, I was too young for that detail). I remember Mactavish the dog, so does Deb (my sister, otherwise known as 'bleeding feet') The Sentlementle Bloke, the tapestries that I did for you. I auditioned for 'Devils Playground" I sucked.. You get that...I know that you and Dad spoke daily or more often, you were very special and amazing, I miss you. Sleep well now. xx
Berrie Cameron-Allen
September 19, 2012
Dear Finno,
Your wit and elan will long be remembered. May you party on in the Great Hereafter! Warmest,
Berrie Cameron-Allen
Pam Aldeson
September 18, 2012
Vale Jon from Peter Alderson (Hartwell State School) and his wife Pam, nee Bellamy(Camberwell High School).
Darren Brealey
September 18, 2012
Jon,
You taught me to look at myself, to explore the world and not to have actors stand on tables. You are my friend, my mentor and the past 25 years have been amazing. Thank you for joining me on my journey and including me on yours. I will miss you dear friend.
Hugs!
Darren Brealey
September 15, 2012
A wise man once taught me that anything of consequence happened in 1912, all waiters are called Gloria and how to make the most fabulous champagne cocktail! I guess I get both the parsons noses now. Somehow they won't taste as sweet. Farewell Jon (Jack) Finlayson. I will miss you...
Julia (The Parsons Nose)
September 15, 2012
jonno
dinner party lights have just lost a lot of wattage. I still smile everytime I think about how we fell about on hearing of that elderly couple who had been together so long that they had just purchased their second bottle of Angostura Bitters
cheers pal
gary day christchurch nz
Geoffrey Willliams
September 14, 2012
An inspiration. A gentleman. A charming host. Fond memories of many unforgettable good times, wise counsel, support and lots of bubbles. Thank you Jon.
September 14, 2012
Dearest Jon
I will always remember and be grateful for your generosity in imparting your knowledge to me and your friendship.
"Deep in December, it's nice to remember, without a hurt the heart is hollow......"
Gael Danaher
Andrew Daley
September 14, 2012
Jon, the world is a poorer place without you.
Thank you for your hospitality everytime we visited. You were an amazing host. Your 60th birthday is one event i'll never forget, but I'm guessing you wouldn't have!!! Rest easy.
Kim Travis
September 14, 2012
Dearest Finno,
May there be champagne, dinner guests and laughter wherever you are. We will always remember the lovely times we shared.
Kim, Reo and Daniel
Barb Angell
September 13, 2012
John, we grew up together, best friends in childhood and teens. Set up Angell & Finlayson Enterprises together, produced several hit revues together, invented Babs and Jack Devine for ABC Radio then lost each other for many years while I was in the UK. Thank God we found each other again. I'll never forget.
September 13, 2012
Darling Finno,
Turely one of life's treaures. Thank you for your guidance and love throughout my life.
No doubt Ro, Lorraine, Lesley & Bern had the champers on ice for you.
Gnome xx
Barbara Bishop
September 13, 2012
Dearest Jon
It truly was A Marvellous Party.
Thank you for inviting us to the table. You will always be in our minds and hearts.
Barbar, Patrick & Caitlin.
September 17, 2012
FINLAYSON. - Jon.Dearest Jon, it was trulyA Marvellous Party. Love - Barbara.
September 17, 2012
FINLAYSON. - Jon.Dear Finno, Jon and Grandpa Jack, no more squabbles over who gets the parson's nose. Unthinkable. Love you always. - Alison, Julia, Matt, Benny and Deeg.
September 15, 2012
FINLAYSON. - Jon.Alexandra, Zoe, Helen and Bruce, we are deeply saddened for your loss. We mourn with you the passing of Jon Finlayson. He was much admired and loved. Jon, thank you for your support in our times of need and we wish you the best on your final journey. Now reunited with his mother, father and sister; and sadly missed by all of us. Rest in peace'Til we meet again- Stuart and Chris.
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