Donald Finn

Mr. Donald P. Finn, 85, of Salamanca, New York died early Wednesday morning, July 16, 2014 at Olean General Hospital, Olean, New York.

Born August 7, 1928 in Carrollton, New York, he was the son of the late Clifford & Alice Johnstone Finn. He was married on September 21, 1957 to the former Mary Kennedy, who survives. The headline in the Allegany Citizen’s paper read “Don Finn Gets Married!”.

Mr. Finn was a 1946 graduate of Allegany High School. He went to St. Bonaventure Grade School, which was reported to be a 5 mile trip to school, uphill both ways, in the snow.

He was a veteran of the United States Army from August 1946 to December 1947, serving in Japan, where he learned to appreciate different ethnic dishes such as rice.

He had been employed by the City of Salamanca Board of Public Utilities as a pole jockey for over thirty years, retiring in 1990. He survived the flood of ‘72, his bucket truck fire, and his 40 foot fall off an electric pole. He admired his retirement clock; it was a reminder of his good times at the Board of Public Utilities.

He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Holy Cross Athletic Club, American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post #535, the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post #5296, Ancient Order of Hibernians, and St. Vincent DePaul Society. He was an unofficial MLB coach (just ask Andy & Matt). He delivered Meals on Wheels for 15 years. He was the proud owner of a “flop house” for teenagers. In 1954 he built, by hand, a structural-unique cottage at Rushford Lake which, by the grace of God, still stands today.

Surviving besides his wife are: 2 daughters, Michele “Shelly” Finn, Cynthia (Mike) Armagost; 2 sons, Andrew (Linda) Finn, Matt (Eileen) Finn; 9 grandchildren, Brad Armagost, Miranda (Jordan) Earley, Hilary Armagost, Ryan Finn, Kelsey Finn LiPuma, Brennan Finn, Dairinn Finn, Keelin Finn, Teaghan Finn; 3 great-grandchildren, Abigail Earley, Alivia Earley, Owen Armagost-Neri; 2 brothers, Jim Finn, Tom (Barb) Finn; a sister, Ann (John) Gavin; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by 2 daughters, Rebecca Finn, infant Maureen Finn, 2 brothers, John Finn and Clifford Finn.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Friday from 4 – 8 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Peace Parish with Rev. Patrick Melfi, pastor, as celebrant.

Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Cancer Society, or the Scleroderma Society. Full military graveside honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post #535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post #5296.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.