Edward Thomas Finlay

Edward Thomas Finlay, 71, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, passed away, August 6, 2019. Edward was born to Edward and Elizabeth Finlay on March 13, 1948 at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York. He moved to Florida in September of 2005, coming from Far Rockaway, Queens, New York.

Survivors include his loving wife of 44 years, Mary Jane Finlay of Port St. Lucie, FL; sisters, Dorothy Larkin and Lauren Davenport, both of Virginia Beach, Va., along with several loving nieces and nephews: Shawn Larkin, J.D. Davenport, Christina Brown, Thomas Larkin, Brett Davenport, Theresa White, Jason Davenport, Robert Abt and Jenna Kenny, along with many grand nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Finlay and Elizabeth Finlay and his sister, Elizabeth Kenny.

Edward graduated from George W. Hewlett High School, Hewlett New York; he received an Associates Degree from Nassau Community College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business from Hofstra University.

For more than 25 years, Edward was the owner and operator of Ed’s Painting and Paperhanging, Home Maintenance Co.; working primarily in the 5 Towns area of Long Island, N.Y., as well as in many of N.Y. City’s 5 boroughs. After coming to Florida he continued to work as a painting contractor in St. Lucie and Martin Counties, where he used his skills to bring beauty into the lives of his customers. He finally retired his brushes and rollers around 2013 and began to pursue what would become the second great love of his life; Bowling.

Edward enjoyed bowling at Super Play and St Lucie Lanes, where he was an active member of several Leagues: Club 50, The Haisley League, St Lucie West League and the St Lucie Lanes Summer League. Ed
strived constantly to improve his game, offered help to other bowlers and enjoyed the friendships and comradery of his fellow bowlers. He kept them provided with an endless supply of candies to keep up their strength.

Edward loved color and as a young man enjoyed painting and making furniture for his home. He loved his homes both here and in New York and took great pride in creating a garden filled with beautiful flowering bushes.

During his lifetime he opened his heart to many abandoned dogs, starting with his and his wife’s first stray, Petey. He is survived by his two latest, Kiara and Cody, whom he rescued from Dogs and Cats Forever.

Edward was a gentle man who loved Nature in all its Beauty and also found great pleasure in helping his wife follow her calling as a teacher and principal.

He especially enjoyed seeing new places, going on many cruising vacations with his wife, brother-in-law, James Clarke and his wife Maureen Clarke. Many happy times were spent together with them, both at Sea and on land vacations.

Edward loved his family, his surrogate, nephew, Isaac Lazar, whom he loved to tease. He will always be in all of their hearts as a beloved husband, brother, uncle, brother-in-law and friend. May he rest in peace in the arms of God.

The family ask in Lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made in Edward’s honor to https://myasthenia.org/Get-involved/Donating to help fund research and find a cure for Myasthenia Gravis.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St Lucie Catholic Church, Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Haisley Tribute Center, 2041 SW Bayshore Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL.

A guestbook may be signed at www.haisleyfeneralhome.com .