David Finamore

David passed away peacefully at home with his family holding lovingly on to him on June 28, 2026.

David grew up in Guelph, Ontario, and was the third child of Mario and Rita Finamore, both passing before him. He has an older brother, John (Mary); two older sisters, Dianne and Mary (who left us 19 years ago); and a younger brother, Paul (Lisa). They gave him some very cool nieces and nephews: Joel, Jan, Jason, Danny (tragically passing in 2017), Andrea, Juston, Dean, Sarah, and Paula. Lovingly remembered by many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Almost 52 years ago, he met Sandy, and they have been together since. They started building their beautiful family together in 1976 and welcomed their first child, Jodie, in 1977. Jodie, in turn, gifted them with Grace, her beautiful daughter. Along came Maggie in 1983. Maggie met Eric Rainville, and they proudly gave us Chloé, Amélie, Jacob, and Jeremi. His only son, David Jr., joined his sisters in 1986, and he found the love of his life, Kelly MacNutt, who has blessed us with Charlee, Asher, and Maddie. The baby of the family, Pamela, completed the family in 1987. She and her husband, Pat Olmstead, honoured us with Franky and Blake. Along his life journey, we picked up a Bonus Daughter, Erin (Evans) Sopher, which added Koal, Lukaz, and Jaxxen to the grandchildren gang.

Jim and Nancy Carroll, who raised Sandy’s niece, Tracie (Doug) Sheppard, gave us three more kids to love: Colin (Tim), Nathan, and Emma (Ian). Sometimes in life, you choose friends who just are family. He cherished all the family he collected along the way: London Cres, work, South Bay Park, childhood friends, and the AA/Al-Anon community.

David moved his family to Elliot Lake in 1979, where they began their life, with David working as a hard rock miner for Denison Mines. After being severely injured in a rock fall in 1990, David quickly pivoted and went back to school to become an Addictions Counsellor at Camillus Centre, where he worked until 2020, when he was diagnosed with cancer.

In 1988, David made the decision to change his life and that of his family and joined Alcoholics Anonymous, remaining sober since then. Through his work and AA, David changed hundreds of lives, leaving behind a beautiful legacy of friends across Canada and the States who will miss him dearly.

Although we all are heartbroken that he has left us, we all seek comfort knowing that he isn’t suffering anymore and went out on his own terms, knowing where he was going. He is gone to join his parents, Mario and Rita; his sister, Mary; his favourite sister-in-law, Cathy; his buddy, Elijah Hennessey; and his baby grandson, Landon.

We realize that flowers are often given as a symbol of love, and he truly loved flowers, especially the wildflowers he grew and enjoyed in the wild, and he would love for everyone to enjoy them for him. Pick some, smell some, but please don’t send any. He would prefer you honour him by living your best life, making your next best choice, and enjoying and loving those around you. If you would like to make a donation in his honour, please make it to The Northern Cancer Centre, Elijah’s Legacy at St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, and Friends of Bill by making a donation to the GSO to keep the legacy going.

Our forever true Leafs fan has gone on a fishing mission. We will remain forever grateful for the memories and beautiful legacy he left all of us with. In true David/Dad/Grampa fashion, he sat in a circle with his grandkids as they asked him questions about his life, giving them advice about life and, of course, telling silly stories. “Be kind and always honest,” he told them.

Words seem not enough to thank the village of people that helped us keep him here for the last six years. His COVID crew of nurses, doctors, and friends who helped navigate that nightmare; the staff and volunteers at the Jim and Shirley Fielding Cancer Centre at HSN; Dr. Purzner and the FHT; and the amazing staff at Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacy. Finally, his palliative team: Sam, Dana, Susan, Liz, and Carla. The kindness and compassion shown to David was a gift, especially by Dr. Noemie Robert Lajeunesse and Dr. Kaitlin Sheridan of the MAID Program, who gave us the gift of a peaceful passing.

Thank you to our dear friend, Chaplain Ralph Regis, for the spiritual guidance.

The family will receive friends and family at the Elliot Lake Funeral Chapel and Cremation Centre on Friday, July 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral will be held at WH Collins Hall at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The burial will be at Valley East Cemetery in Hanmer at 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2026, where all are welcome.

https://www.sjhfound.com/

https://hsnsudbury.ca/en/Services-and-Specialties/Cancer-Care

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