PATRICK FINNEGAN

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Designer and entrepreneur Pat Finnegan passed away recently in his St. James home. 

 

Born in Toronto on March 20 1930 into a large Irish Catholic family, Pat was known early on for his interest in world politics and ability to draw almost anything,

 

This artistic flair caught the eye of a pretty young typist named Helen Billson and the two were married in 1955.  They had two children Brian in 1959 and Anne in 1962 and soon moved their family to the suburbs of nearby London.

 

While in London, Pat became involved in commercial real estate and design and in the early 1970s was hired as the Tenant Co-ordinator for the newly-built City Centre retail and office development.

 

Pat also created a venture entitled Associated Design Services, which took him to Canada's west coast for the construction boom of the early 1980s.  There he designed and built several projects, including the White Rock Legion Redevelopment and numerous diverse restaurant and retail spaces.

 

A move to Winnipeg in 1986 allowed him to be closer to his son and grandchildren.  Associated Design Services became Serendipity By Design, which took on additional contract management projects in addition to design work. Vanguard Electronics was created to assist apartment building managers upgrade their door entry systems to incorporate newly-emerging security systems.  A few years later he welcomed Trini Saauedra into his life as his second wife.

 

Pat continued to work until his death at age 86. Right up to the end he kept busy revising drawings or following up with the City Planning Department regarding various projects. 

 

Predeceased by his parents, 9 siblings and his first wife, Pat will be fondly remembered by his 2 children Brian (Mary) Finnegan and Anne (Randy) Johnson, 5 grandchildren; Shawna, Heather and Rory Finnegan, Lorissa and Marley Johnson, and one great-granddaughter Jocelyn MacDonald, as well as many business and community contacts he worked with over the years.

 

At Pat's request, cremation has taken place and there will be no service.

 

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

The sun shine warm upon your face

The rain fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand