Deceased: 2008-05-28
Diocese: ERIE
ICTE Spring: 1993
The Very Reverend David Findlay, V.F., 69, died Wednesday May 28, 2008 at Saint Mary’s Asbury Ridge, Erie. Born July 9, 1938 in Meadville, he was the son of the late George and Mary Ann Nageotte Findlay. Upon graduating from St. Brigid grade school in Meadville in 1952, Fr. Findlay attended Meadville Area High School, graduating in 1956. He then attended Gannon College (now Gannon University), graduating in 1961. From 1961 to 1962 he studied at the School of St. Philip Neri in Boston and then entered St. Mary Seminary and University in Baltimore, Md., where he completed his studies in 1967. Following the completion of his studies, he was ordained as a priest on May 27, 1967 at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie by the Most Reverend John F. Whealon, Bishop of Erie. Fr. Findlay’s home parish was St. Brigid, Meadville. Following ordination, Father Findlay was assigned as assistant pastor at St. Stephen parish in Oil City from 1967 to 1972, serving also as Newman Chaplain to the Oil City campus of Clarion University. In 1972 he was assigned to the team ministry at St. Cosmas and Damian parish in Punxsutawney, becoming assistant pastor there in 1974. In 1976, he was assigned as assistant pastor at St. Paul parish in Erie, and then in 1977 as assistant pastor at Christ the King parish in Houtzdale. In 1982 he was named pastor of Holy Rosary parish in Johnsonburg and in 1989 he was named pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Erie. He served there as sole pastor until 1995 and as co-pastor until 2002 when he was named pastor of St. Brigid parish, Meadville, where he served until his death. In addition to parish assignments, Father Findlay also served as Defender of the Bond in the Diocesan Tribunal, as a member of the diocesan Presbyteral Council, and from 2005 until his death he served as dean (Vicar Forane) of the Meadville Deanery. He also served in the US Army Reserves. He is survived by 9 of his 10 brothers and sisters and their many spouses: George and Kay Findlay of Altoona, Florida, Doris and Don Redmond of Camp Hill, Mary Jane Kelley of New Carrollton, Maryland, Billie Simmons of Memphis, Tennessee, Paul and Kay Findlay of Ashtabula, Ohio, Margaret and Jim Timpe of Mid Florida Lakes, Florida, Jack and Nancy Findlay of Acworth, Georgia, Jim Findlay of San Raphael, California, Mark and Dee Findlay of Erie and numerous nieces, nephews and their children. He is also survived by many close friends, too numerous to list. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard (Dick) Findlay Calling hours will be held at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 816 W. 26th Street, Erie on Thursday, May 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Friday at St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church, 383 Arch Street, Meadville from 3 to 8 p.m. where a scripture service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Calling hours will resume on Saturday, May 31 at St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church from 9:00 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., with Bishop Donald Trautman presiding. Burial will follow in St. Brigid Cemetery Memorials may be made to St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church 383 Arch Street, Meadville, PA 16335, Seton Catholic School, 385 Pine Street, Meadville, PA 16335 or St. Mary Seminary and University, 5400 Roland Ave. Baltimore, MD, 21210.
