ANDY FINN (FUNERAL DETAILS NOW ADDED)

[JT]

Hi Everybody

I have just had the sad news from Vernon, that Andy Finn who played for the Stout House Z and many more teams in both the BHBBL and HBBL leagues over the years died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday night

I understand that he had been unwell for a couple of years

Vernon will add more details and also the date of the funeral when known



JT

What to say about Andy ?

He was a Crawley boy, he was a teammate of mine (and doubles partner) in the late 70's at the Brewery Shades. Best mates with Barry Timson.
He later had a few seasons with us (Mick Holmwood, Dick Dewdney, Colin Parsons) at the Bell (both leagues Hor and Bil) in the mid 80's.

His game really came into its own when he later joined the Redhill League where he proved very difficult to beat and won their prestigious singles title for three years on the trot. An inspiration to others to venture over the border and he had the rare distinction of having played for both Surrey and Sussex at county level.

In more recent years he was part of the Meadvale/South Park contingent who joined Billingshurst League and enjoyed considerable success as the 'Zeds'. Between 2006 and 2010 he was Billinghurst Singles finalist four times, winning three of them - twenty years after winning the Crawley singles.

He worked beyond retirement age, and must have suffered considerably with emphysema in the last few years. RIP now Andy. Thoughts with Sandra and the family.

[vernon]

I'm deeply saddened that Andy is no longer with us, he could be a cantankerous pain in the backside to a lot of people, myself included sometimes. But, he was very kind and once you got to know him was a truly good friend. Over the last 25/30 years Andy and I have travelled together all over the south of England playing billiards for our pub/club teams and at county level and to see him suffer especially in the last couple of months was hard, those of you who know me will know that I used to pull his leg constantly about his illness, it was always in jest and he once said that if I were nice to him he would think there was something wrong with him!
As Tommo said, he worked beyond retirement, which to be honest probably didn't help his health. Andy was a character, and we will all miss him in some way, personally, I will miss his humour and his self belief. RIP Finno.

[JT]

Andy Finn's Funeral is Wednesday 26th April at

St Johns Church, Church Road, Copthorne, West Sussex, RH10 3PY

Service starts at 12.00 then later following on at the Cherry Tree in Copthorne.


Cheers

Vern

Well, Andy has now been laid to rest, with a moving well-attended service including an entertaining tribute from Vernon.