FINLAY, Sean Ogilvie, 1944-2009– In the early morning of October 13, 2009, Sean Finlay died peacefully surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Sean Finlay was born in Vancouver, the son of Delbert Finlay and Winifred Wiggins. He followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps, working in the newspaper industry as a journalist and editor for CP and Thompson Newspapers. Sean was the editor of the Arnprior Chronicle, the Kirkland Lake Northern Daily News and the Barrie Examiner where he won several newspaper awards. Sean covered Parliament Hill from 1978 to 1982. He served as Vice-President of the Parliamentary Press Gallery in 1982. From 1982 to 1987, he was the editor of the St. John's Evening Telegram, in St. John's Newfoundland.
In 1987, Sean retired from his newspaper career and returned to Ottawa. He formed Wordsmithing Plus, working as an editor, speech writer and public relations consultant. Since 1996, Sean has been employed with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation as the English language editor.
Sean will be forever remembered by his wife of 43 years, Jan, his daughter Seana Siobhan, and his "two boys", grandsons Graham Ogilvie Jones and Sam Jones. Also mourning his loss are mother-in-law Mil Taylor, son-in-law Kris Jones, brother Joel (Carolyn), and nephew Chris. He will be sorely missed by his friends at CMHC and many others.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 24th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hulse Playfair & McGarry at 315 McLeod St. in Ottawa. Donations to the Canadian Down Syndrome Society, or to a cause of your choice in lieu of flowers.