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Memorial at Gabby’s on Danforth for slain journalist Michael Finlay

Former CBC radio producer Michael Finlay.
Former CBC radio producer Michael Finlay. Photo by Facebook

A respected 30-year veteran of CBC Radio will be honoured later this month by friends and colleagues at his Danforth local.

A memorial is planned for journalist Michael Finlay at Gabby’s, 729 Danforth Ave., on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. 

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Gabby’s is where Finlay, 73, was headed when he was attacked by a stranger on the afternoon of Jan. 24.

In an all-too-familiar scenario in Toronto, the retired journalist was shoved to the ground in a random attack.

Finlay died of his injuries in hospital a week later.

Police said last week that 43-year-old Robert Robin Cropearedwolf is wanted for manslaughter in Finlay’s death.

They also said they do not believe the two men knew each other.

For 31 years, Finlay worked as a producer and editor for the CBC. Prior to that, he worked for the Vancouver Sun.

Among other roles at CBC, he was executive editor of Sunday Morning.

Finlay retired in 2010.

His regular table at Gabby’s continues to have a reserved sign on it, according to one staffer at the popular pub, who said of Finlay, “He was a very good man.”

Tributes continue to pour in for Finlay from friends and fellow writers.

  1. Robert Robin Cropearedwolf, 43, is wanted for manslaughter in the death retired CBC producer Douglas “Michael” Finlay on the Danforth on Jan. 24, 2023.

    WARMINGTON: Suspect identified in killing of CBC producer Michael Finlay

  2. An image released by Toronto Police of a man wanted in an assault on Jan. 24, 2023 along Danforth Ave. near Jones Ave. that led to the death of Michael Finlay.

    WARMINGTON: Former CBC producer dies after random assault in Toronto

  3. Michael Finlay, a retired producer, was pushed to the ground by an unknown assailant and died of complications. (Karin Wells/CBC)

    Acclaimed ex-CBC journalist dies after latest random assault on Toronto streets

Canadian novelist/screenwriter Lesley Krueger wrote about Finlay on her website, describing his brilliance and noting he had “one of the quickest minds I’ve never known, and an astonishing ability to put together bits and pieces of information into a coherent whole.” 

Another colleague posted on Facebook that Finlay was, “One of the best creators of documentaries at the CBC … He enriched our lives on programs such as Dispatches, Sunday Morning and The World at Six.

“May the attacker be found. And justice served. For a guy who served justice,” the post said.

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An internal CBC memo from Cathy Perry, executive director of newsgathering and operations, said Finlay would be remembered as an exceptional storyteller, documentary maker and editor.

“If you worked on a documentary with Michael, you were experiencing the pinnacle of the craft,” her email said.

Finlay is survived by his two brothers and their families. Humphrey Miles Funeral Home notes  that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Michael’s Hospital.