Edward 'Ted' Patrick Timothy Finn passed peacefully at Brantford General Hospital, on Monday, March 12, 2018, at the age of 91 years.
Beloved husband of 69 years to high school sweetheart Nancy (nee Charman). Loved father to Jayne Finn (Michael Evans) and Dianne Finn (Michael Michener). Predeceased by his parents Patrick William Finn and Mary Irene Rooney, as well as his older sister Lora Frances Thompson and his older brother Ronald Joseph Finn. Survived by his sister Eudora Jackson, as well as nieces, nephews and extended family.
Ted did not have grandchildren but delighted in his many four-legged family members, especially his Irish Setter named Rusty, his favourite chestnut gelding Pleasant Bay, and, most recently, his dearest friend Lyle’s “Jack Frost” aka Just Call Me Jack.
Pleasant Bay was bred by Ted and was an exciting little pacer to watch as he raced in the mid ‘70s at Western Fair, Garden City, Greenwood and Flamboro, driven by Wayne Langille. On April 20, 1975, the feisty eight-year-old chestnut gelding broke his own Flamboro record to cap an “official” Flamboro Downs opening night.
Ted worked almost 40 years for Ontario Hydro. He was a passionate community builder, an athlete and sportsman, generous with his time, talents and resources. Besides his horse breeding and racing, he was an avid hockey player and coach, golfer and Club Champion several years.
In 1992, Ted received the Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Association of Exhibitions, for his 28 years of volunteer work with the Paris Fair Board and as Racing
Secretary. He served on the Paris Willett Hospital Board, the Sacred Heart School Board and, most recently, was instrumental in the initiative for new commemorative monuments at the Paris Cenotaph. In June, he will be inducted into the Brant County Sports Hall of Fame.
Visitation and Parish Prayers were held on Friday, March 16 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Wm. Kipp Funeral Home, 184 Grand River St. N. Paris. Mass was on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 17 Washington St., Paris. Cremation has occurred. Interment Sacred Heart Cemetery, Paris.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society for retired racehorses or to the Brant County SPCA.
Online condolences may be arranged through www.wmkippfuneralhome.com or by contacting Wm. Kipp at 519-442-3061.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Ted Finn.