Memorial planned at local pub for former CBC journalist who died after random attack
People who knew and loved east Toronto resident Michael Finlay will be gathering at one of his favourite local pubs later this month to celebrate his life.
Finlay, who worked as a documentary producer and editor for the CBC for more than three decades, died last Tuesday, one week after falling victim to a random attack in broad daylight in the city's Greektown area.
During the assault near Danforth and Jones avenues, Finlay was reportedly shoved to the ground and broke a number of ribs, which caused him to suffer a collapsed lung. The long-time resident of The Pocket neighbourhood died of “medical complications” sustained during the Jan. 24 assault, his family confirmed.
The memorial for Finlay will get underway at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Gabby’s on the Danforth, 729 Danforth Ave., just east of Jones Avenue and is open to anyone who would like to attend.
Finlay, who was 73, often frequented the local bar where he enjoyed doing his daily crossword puzzle.
Since his death, the table Finlay liked to sit at has been reserved in his memory with the daily crossword laid out waiting to be solved, neighbour Michael J. O’Neill wrote in a Facebook post.
“Ironically on the day of his attack, Michael was steps away from his intended destination of Gabby’s and never made it,” he shared.
A Canada-wide warrant has now been issued for 43-year-old Robert Robin Cropearedwolf who is wanted for manslaughter in connection with the incident.
He is described as six-feet tall with a slim build. Cropearedwolf was last seen wearing a red paper mask with flames on it, a black sweater, and black pants.
“Mr. Cropearedwolf if you are watching this I encourage you to speak to a lawyer and turn yourself in to the nearest police station,” Det. Jason Hillier said during a Feb. 3 news conference outside 55 Division.
Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact Toronto police at 416-808-7400, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.222tips.com.
With files from CP24’s Chris Fox.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.