Daniel Lee Finley

Daniel Lee Finley, 54, devoted husband, proud father, Army veteran, and enthusiastic collector of adventures, embarked on his final great journey on October 28, 2026.

For once, Mae hadn’t planned the itinerary. There was no cruise to catch, no suitcase to pack, and Dan wouldn’t be bringing home another coffee mug. Though he traveled this final journey without his favorite companion, he carried a lifetime of love, laughter, cherished memories, and the prayers of those who loved him. His destination was the heavenly home promised by the Savior in whom he placed his faith.

His greatest adventures were shared with his beloved wife, Mae, his best friend and favorite traveling companion. Together, they explored places across the United States, Canada, Norway, and the Philippines, collecting coffee mugs and unforgettable memories along the way. Their greatest adventure, however, was the life they built together—a life filled with friendship, laughter, and unwavering devotion. During Dan’s illness, Mae became his tireless advocate and loving caregiver. Dan publicly recognized her strength and devotion, calling her one of the “true warriors” of his journey.

Of all his roles, none brought Dan greater pride than being Aiden’s dad. He enthusiastically celebrated his son’s swimming accomplishments and band performances, sharing videos with anyone who would watch. Even during his illness, Dan admired Aiden’s thoughtfulness and maturity, recognizing him as another of the “true warriors” by his side. His love, encouragement, and pride in Aiden will remain an enduring legacy.

Dan treasured his family, including his dad, Gary Finley; his sister, Angela Wilson; and his cousin Jenny (McDonald), who knew him as the big brother she could always count on. His extended family included Troy Finley, Greg Morris, Tony (Finley) Talbott, Rex Talbott, Jeff Paxton, Kasey Ryan and Lori Finch. Dan’s family tree may have looked more like ground cover, but he never let complicated relationships get in the way of love.

He held a special place in his heart for all his moms: his beloved mother, Debra Morris, who preceded him in death in November 2025; Alice Finley; Debbie Finley; and Linda Cutlip. He also lovingly welcomed Mae’s mother, Maria Cribillo, into his home, faithfully serving as her personal chauffeur. To Dan, family was defined not by labels, but by love.

At Med1Care, Dan found another family, where coworkers affectionately called him “Our Dan.” A devoted Physical Therapist Assistant, he used humor to put patients at ease, jokingly calling himself their “torturer,” while genuinely caring about helping them regain strength and independence. A proud Army veteran, he served with the 79th Engineer Battalion in Europe. Dan also shared his heart with the Trilby baseball community as “Coach Dan” and brought Christmas joy to countless people as Santa Claus, reminding everyone—even in June—that Christmas was only six months away.

Dan’s life was an adventure filled with faith, family, friendship, and laughter. He never needed grand gestures to make a difference; he simply showed up, loved people, and made ordinary moments extraordinary. Though his final journey came far too soon, his love and memories will continue to travel with everyone he leaves behind.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Dan’s life on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Newcomer Northwest Toledo Chapel, 4150 W. Laskey Road, Toledo, OH 43623. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. For additional information, please call (419) 473-0300.