Andrew “Pat” Finnigan
Andrew “Pat” Finnigan, beloved husband, loving father and grandfather, passed away after a prolonged struggle with Lewy Body Parkinson’s Dementia at the age of 78 on August 24, 2014 on Mercer Island, Washington.
Pat was born in La Paz, Bolivia and graduated from University of British Columbia in Mathematics and Physics. He was passionate about his career at Boeing which took him, as he was fond of saying, “to all countries where the food was great” – Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Malta. He cared deeply for his wonderful colleagues and customers who became his friends. He loved airplanes his whole life. He had to wait until he turned 16 to be granted a private pilot’s license that he earned at 15. He loved to sail, play golf and argue. When he retired, Pat split his time between Marbella, Spain and Bellevue, Washington.
He had a huge impact on others as he lived a huge life. He was unfailingly loyal, generous, brave, loving and humble- he never gave himself credit for whatever successes he achieved. He didn’t lose his sense of humor even when he was nearing the end.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Irene, his daughters, Marguerite and Michelle, his grandchildren, Theo and Gus, his son-in-law Guyle Wilson, his sister-in-law Dorothy Finnigan, his nephew Christopher, niece Danielle and cousins, John Finnigan, Mary Kitos and Deirdre Claassen.
A memorial service will be held on October 4, 2014 at 11:00am at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 8398 NE 12th St, Medina, WA 98039. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Discretionary Fund of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 8398 NE 12th St, Medina, WA 98039 or Providence Hospice of Seattle, 425 Pontius Ave N #300, Seattle, WA 98109.
21 Responses to “Andrew “Pat” Finnigan”
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Pat was a friend and mentor to me, and an example to follow. Irene, you’re in our thoughts.
What a gift it was for us to have known Pat! He was a wonderful man with a big heart. He will be dearly missed.
Que lástima y que gran perdida, Pat, siempre estarás en mi corazón. Fuiste como un padre y siempre tendré un cochecito para ti sea donde sea. Se te quiso y siempre se te quedra.
Irene, Michelle, Margarite please contact me at Luis.E.Munoz@hotmail.com and please let me know where to contact you.
Con todo mi pésame y amor,
Luis Edward
Un abrazo fuerte a ti y los tuyos, Irene, hemos tenido tiempos buenos juntos y creo que volveremos a tenerlos. Por ahora un pesame a ti y un buen viaje a nuestro querido Pato
Hemos tenido buenos momentos juntos, querida Irene, I creo que volveremos a tenerlos. Por ahora un pesame y un buen viaje al inolvidable Pato.
Dear Irene, Marguerite and Michelle,
Please accept our deepest sympathies after Pat’s departure to be born to the Eternal Life.
Regards,
Dear Irene,
Although I knew you and Pat for a too short time in Marbella, I though you both were wonderful. You certainly treated Gail and me most hospitably, I was, of course, saddened to learn from you of Pat’s debilitating illness and saddened now again to learn of his passing. Please accept my deep sympathies.
Love
Leigh
Pat was near the top of the list of Sales and Marketing “good guys”…and was respected and loved by his colleagues. He will be missed by all…especially the “crab feed” gang. Because of some lingering medical problems, Nancy and I will not be able to attend Pat’s service but please know we will be there in spirit.
God Bless,
Gene and Nancy
Pat was not only our dearest friend but for Frances her “brother” and for Ivan his “coousin”. Our friendship and extended family dates from 1975 when he, Irene and their girls arrived in Madrid. Our Boeing assignments coincided in Spain and France. We enjoyed life and families in both places. He lived his life fully and his favorite saying was “que nos quiten lo bailao” “they cannot take away what we have danced”. We miss you horribly Pato.
Dear Yayo was like another father to me. I always remember our many family vacations together, and how he teased me into telling him “Ich bin delikat”. I knew him since I was “six and a half” and miss him dearly. May he rest in peace. We love you!
A dear friend who will be greatly missed. He was one of the nicest people I have known.
Pat was a dear friend who will be greatly missed. He was one of the nicest people I have known.
Pat was my teacher and dear friend. I learned so much about sales and life from his good example. I was his account manager for many years. I loved him and loved working for him and with him. He was so kind and I never heard him make a disparaging remark about anyone. My heart goes out to Irene, Marguerite and Michelle. Jefe, Adiós.
I learned of Pat’s passing away with shock. Over many years at Air Malta I came to appreciate how great a gentleman he was, his loyalty, and dedication. We weren’t just business colleagues, but friends as well. My late wife and children appreciated meeting him, and often Irene, when they visited. My deepest sympathy to Irene, Marguerite and Michelle and the rest of the family. May God give him eternal peace and look down kindly on his family
Pato: as you are off on your next business trip, we will miss you! We are counting on you to scope out fine dining options at this new location and to make sure they can seat us all. As I write this, I am smiling as I think of all the great adventures we have had together. While you always worried, it all worked out just grand. Love, Kostya
Dearest Pato: How we cherished your warm adoption of Kostya as one of your sons, and Kostya’s family as your own. I have vivid images of my stays at your home in Marbella, the garden and sea. Was I really the only of your guests to use that magical beach? Each time a joy. Thank you for the many evenings, messages, phone calls, jokes. For the kindness and love. For bringing beautiful Irene into our lives. Keep us in your prayers, as we carry on here. Forever in my heart– Rebecca
Dear Irene,
Our hearts go out to you, Margarite, Michelle and all your family.
I remember like if it was yesterday when Philip approached Pat to tell him he wanted to follow his footsteps at Boeing and be part of his sales team. I also remember how you and Pat introduced us to the city of Madrid and the wisdom of the life style of the ‘españoles’ when Philip got his first assignment overseas thirty years ago. You were such a role model to us, with your warm hospitality, your lovely well mannered girls, your friendship and leadership. Our children will never forget our magical trip to Paris and staying at your beautiful home which you and Pat so kindly let us use as our own home for New Years and the beautiful Russian Easter egg hunt in your beautiful garden in Marbella. We will always have fond memories of Pat.
Thank you Pat for playing such an important part in Philip’s career and in our personal life.
Un abrazo,
Leticia and Philip
So sorry to learn Pat is no longer with us, Irene.Your family made up the Golden Age of neighborliness for us on Mercer Island(…raindrops keep falling on my head…). God Bless you and your splendid family. Don Larson, Mercer Island
Dear Irene, Pat and I worked together in Boeing for many years. Although we worked our separate areas, there were many events that brought us together. Pat was a very special person to me. He always had time for you; enjoyed sharing a good story; and loved to laugh. He had a kind and loving spirit that I will always remember. Take care…Love, Tom
Vous m’avez toujours manque et maintenant encore plus que Pat nous a quitté.Je me souviens entre autre ,avec beaucoup d.emotion de ces après midi ou nous prenions le the dans votre jolie véranda a Bellevue…..il était toujours curieux de mes petites histoires?,,,,,Grâce a sa carrière nous avons toujours pu nous suivre entre nos pays et c’etait génial !!!
chère Irene ,je t’embrasse avec toute mon affection,ainsi que Marguerite et Michele et ses enfants .Je pense a vous
Dear Irene and Family.You were always THE example of the Boeing family to carry the sales banner.Your genuine and sincere friendliness was an example for us all in the Sales organization.Our time together will be cherished and remembered forever.
God bless you all.
Graeme and Sandy Howard