Patrick Joseph Finlan, 85, of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on Saturday, May 28, 2022, in Slidell, while surrounded by his loving family.

Patrick was born in Bark River Township, Michigan, on February 22, 1937.  He went to school in Escanaba, Michigan, joined the U.S. Army at the age of 16, and became an Army Ranger, after which he obtained a GED and continued his education at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. During his working life, he worked for Guy F. Atkinson in California, Mirro Aluminum in Wisconsin, and Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) where he retired in 1998.  He and his wife, Aline, then bought a second home on Witch Lake, Michigan, and spent 21 years spending summers in Michigan and winters in Louisiana. Patrick has been a member of the American Legion , Post 185 Slidell, Louisiana, for the past 31 years and a member of the 40/8 Voiture Locale 224 for 25 years.

Patrick was an active person who, despite having asthma, participated in several 5K runs, including the Crescent City Classic.

He loved to garden at their cottage in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where he spent hours picking berries, after which he and Aline would clean, freeze, and turn them into wines and jams to share with their family and friends.

Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred "Millie" and Lawrence "Paddie" Finlan; his first wife of 31 years, Rose Marie Brault; siblings, Mike, Bill, Rick, Mary Lou, and Lorraine.

He is survived by his loving wife of thirty years, Aline M. Finlan; two sons, Pat Finlan (Patty), Andrew Finlan (Lynn); two daughters, Debra Valencia (Jim), Terri Lewis (Steve); two stepdaughters, Sherry Souter, Stephanie Hamilton (Joshua); one stepson, John Souter (Olivia); four sisters, Della Vadnais, Carol Godfrey, Kay Bergstrom, Susan Finlan; one brother, Roger Finlan; ten grandchildren, Rachel Linggren, Brett Finlan, Travis Finlan, Emily Langer , Shannon McCrory, Christopher McCrory, Greg Henderson, Loni Burks, Barry Nemeth, Bobby Nemeth; twelve great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives that all loved him as "Uncle Pat".

Visitation will begin at 12:00pm on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at Honaker Funeral Home, 1751 Gause Blvd West, Slidell, Louisiana, 70460, followed by military honors at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the charity of one's choice.