Wayne Finley, son of Monika Finley, was born April 22, 1962, in Frankfurt, Germany. He attended the public schools of Broward County and completed his BS at Rollins College and his MBA at FSU. He was united in marriage to and is survived by Eric Allen, his partner of 23 years. Wayne was loved by many from South Florida to Orlando to Tallahassee to St. Petersburg, where he made his home. His love for creation was perfectly suited to his first career in environmental protection. In later decades, he thrived in positions, including the Grant Administrator in Hillsborough County and the Contracts and Grant Officer for the City of St. Petersburg, where he believed that change was a shared responsibility between the community and city officials. Wayne adored St. Petersburg, and took special delight in being the founding president of the Friends of the Mirror Lake Community Library. Wayne and Eric found refuge at Fort Desoto Beach, where they spent countless hours walking, and Wayne took nearly as many pictures of the sandcastles. His life will forever be cherished by his sister, Charlotte Graham, his niece, Alexis Herod (Scot), his nephew, Nicholas Batt, his mother and father-in-law, Karen and Fred Allen, his sisters–in-law, Sheila Harman (Tork), Brenda Dreessen (John), Sandy Justin (Dan) and beloved nieces and nephews: Sydney, Bond, Tory, Kyle, Megan, Kate, Sam, and great-nephews, Nicholas and Ryker. As well, Wayne is dearly beloved by adopted family Liz, Will, Joey, and Jacob Masterson, and four Westies: Butch, Chloe, Buck, and Belle. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Mirror Lake Library c/o Sandra Allen. Memorial to be held Saturday, January 28th, at Fort De Soto Beach, 3500 Pinellas Bay Way South, Tierra Verda, FL.

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Published by Orlando Sentinel on Jan. 28, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Wayne Finley

Sponsored by The Orlando Sentinel.

19 Entries

Patrick Ballinger

March 21, 2017

I only knew Wayne professionally in the grant world for a short period of time, but he was always willing to help his peers out and passionate about his work. His loss to the grant world will be felt and my condolences to his family.

Janet Dougherty

February 24, 2017

Wayne was an admirer and advocate for the environment and the staff at the Environmental Protection Commission sends our condolences, thoughts and prayers for the passing of Wayne. He was such a sweet, kind and friendly person. May God comfort everyone who knew and loved Wayne and let us always appreciate all the good works that he left behind.

January 31, 2017

I had the genuine pleasure of knowing and working with Wayne in the grants field over the course of about 12 years, including as colleagues at the National Grants Management Association. He was widely known and respected as a top-notch pro, and the resources and best practices that he developed at Hillsborough County and St. Petersburg were widely considered some of the best in the field. He generously shared those resources and his expertise with others in the field, in a spirit of service and commitment to the greater good of the profession and the individuals and communities that local governments and other grant professionals support. I will miss Wayne's humor and kindness and the opportunity for our paths to cross again at one of the conferences we often both attended. My sincere condolences to Eric and Wayne's other family, friends, and colleagues.

Adrianne Fielding
Silver Spring, Maryland

January 30, 2017

I am so sorry for your loss. May the God of all Comfort give you peace in your heart. S.C.

Aubri

January 30, 2017

Words can barely express the feeling of loss. Please know you were loved and will forever be missed.

Linda Kantaskas

January 30, 2017

My deepest and heartfelt sympathy in your loss. I worked with Wayne when he was at the City of St. Petersburg - he made a deep impression on me as he was so kind, caring, considerate and always there to help. May he rest in peace.

Diana and Bob

January 29, 2017

We will miss seeing Wayne's smiling face and hearing his hello's when out and about. He was a kind and generous man with his help and his time and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Erick and his family during this difficult time.

Sandra Allen

January 28, 2017

I am so thankful to have known Wayne. His generosity, enthusiasm and kindness were a blessing to me personally and to all his friends at the Mirror Lake Library. He was a great advocate for libraries and his presence and support will be greatly missed. The staff of Mirror Lake Library wish to express our deepest condolences to Wayne's family and especially to Monika and Eric.

Holly Rogers

January 28, 2017

After many years of being out of touch Wayne had reached out several months ago and said he would be back in touch when in the Winter Park area again.

I was deeply saddened to read the news of his passing in today's Sentinel and can only assume that it was sudden and unexpected. Deepest sympathies to all of his family.

Holly Rogers (formerly Loomis)

Winter Park

pamela lapaugh

January 27, 2017

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Connie Clark

January 27, 2017

Wayne was so support of me during our time in the Budget Department at the City of St Petersburg. I remember his interview! Such a kind and thoughtful person; I learned much from him regarding our work as well as friendship. My deepest condolences to Eric and all his family. He will truly be missed.

January 27, 2017

Wayne was a great guy and a friend to me. I worked closely with him when he started the Friends of the Mirror Lake Library group. He was a great president and worked harder than anyone I know to bring fantastic speakers, authors and events to the library. He put together a great Plein Air Painting festival that benefited the library, not to mention the City of St. Petersburg. He was a smart and kind man who will be greatly missed by me and others. My condolences to his husband Eric and Mom Monika.

Wendy Bennett

Barbara Grilli

January 27, 2017

Wonderful person and co-worker. He will me missed by all who knew him. So sad to hear this.

January 27, 2017

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Sharon Coppola

January 27, 2017

What a warm, caring, giving person - I will always remember him. He gave so much to everyone, and made sure that the Friends group at Mirror Lake library was successful because he had so many ideas.
Sharon Coppola, St. Petersburg Public Library

RIP Wayne. You were a "winner." Your CoSP Budget Buddies

January 27, 2017

Sharon Snyder

January 27, 2017

My sympathies to Wayne's friends and family. I will miss talking to him in the breakroom at work - he was always so nice to me. RIP, Wayne.

Sharleen Williams

January 27, 2017

Wayne, I will remember the talks we had and that special Armadillo cake I made for you. You were a very special person with a wonderful heart.

I will miss seeing you every day.

Chris Butler

January 27, 2017

My heart goes out to Wayne's husband, friends, and family. May the Lord comfort you in this time of need. I did not know Wayne well at Hillsborough County BOCC, but I would say "HI" and "Good Morning" as I passed him in the halls. I know that he will be missed and I am so sorry for your loss.

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