A long time supporter of Campaign Life Coalition and the pro-life cause has died after a brief struggle with cancer. Francis (Frank) Xavier Finn passed away March 4, 2001 at his Gananoque, Ontario home, surrounded by his family.
A long-standing member of Knights of Columbus Council 4177, past Grand Knight, bulletin chairman and church activity chairman, he was an extraordinary minister of the eucharist and a lay reader for 12 years at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Frank had a strong devotion to Mary, with statues and pictures prominently displayed in his home. He took part in pilgrimages to Lourdes, Fatima, and other shrines.
Frank was a great backer of Campaign Life Coalition, giving financial support on many occasions, including a contribution that allowed a CLC member to attend last year’s National Pro-Life Conference in Toronto. He was a regular participant in Life Chain, the Feast of the Holy Innocents Mass, and the Mother’s Day vigil at Kingston General Hospital, where abortions are carried out. He opened his home to Andrew Fournier during his cross-Canada pro-life awareness walk last year and arranged to have a young pro-lifer accompany Andrew on the Gananoque-Kingston leg of the walk.
Frank didn’t back away from asking the tough life-issues questions to those seeking political office and helping lobby those same individuals once in office, the prime minister included. As a long-time friend and neighbour put it, “He stood up for faith and morals and gave the proper viewpoint.”
Holding a master’s degree in history, Frank taught history at Gananoque Secondary School for 33 years and later in his career was head of that department.
Frank is predeceased by his wife, Doris Finn (nee O’Brien). He was the loving father of Mary Theresa of Gananoque and Paul of Ottawa; the son of the late Marguerite and Joseph Finn of Windsor; and the brother of Maureen Lund and Clarice Friesen of Windsor, Patrick Finn of Montreal and the late Joseph Finn. He is also fondly remembered by his sister-in-law, Eleanor Finn or Windsor, Elma O’Brien of Kingston, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass for Frank was celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, and his body was interred at St. John’s Cemetery.
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand, Frank. Requiescat in pace.