Samuel Jonathan Finne: September 25, 1998 – April 30, 2025.
We are very sad yet full of hope and faith to announce that our son, Samuel Jonathan, received his angel wings on April 30th.
Sam was born on September 25, 1998. He came meekly like a lamb, yet soon we learned that he was fierce like a lion. Sam was born with a special heart. Due to that, Sam lived a life of appointments, procedures, imaging, shots, poky things, surgeries (6 heart surgeries), hospital stays, and the list goes on and on… But Sam did not allow that to label him. Instead, Sam grew into a young man that shared so much of himself with others. Sam was quiet but mischievous, he was full of humor and would tell jokes with a twinkle in his eye, he cared and loved people, he was devoted to his “acquaintances”, he was sensitive to others’ needs, and so much more. During his last hospital stay, he had befriended so many of his caregivers, all of them describing him as remarkable. They all knew what he was facing, but so often he would ask them, “Are you doing ok?”. Throughout this hospital stay, even when he wasn’t feeling his best, he always had a smile on his face and made sure that everyone around him was happy and feeling good. He cherished his time with family and made sure everyone left with a smile on their face.
Sam loved sports, however, could not participate in them like he wished. So instead, he did what he could to enjoy them. He played basketball until his doctor said no more. He was a videographer for his brother’s basketball teams. He enjoyed the game of golf from middle school to adulthood. And mostly, we will all remember Sam, as a loyal, committed Michigan State Sparty fan!!
Sam enjoyed theater and was active in many plays and musicals. He always found that moment in his role to make the audience roar with laughter. As parents, we loved hearing from other parents that they always looked forward to that moment when Sam would look at the audience, with some goofy look and line that would have them belly laughing.
Sam was a Mayo Clinic Desk Operation Specialists for almost 5 years. Sam completed his training at Rochester Community and Technical College to qualify for this job. Sam was so proud to have applied, interviewed and acquired this job, all during COVID. He loved his work; he loved his team; and he loved his supervisors. Most importantly, he loved the patients he served. As he would tell us all the time, he understood the “patient experience” and he wanted to make sure each patient he served had a warm, caring and supported experience.
And lastly, Sam had his faith…his relationship with God. Nothing that he talked much about with others, but as parents we got a glimpse of it. In this final medical journey, that relationship was on display like never before. He knew what he was facing.
Our family will always remember his smile, his smirk, and his hugs. We will miss our Sammy J but will make sure his memory lives on.
Sam is survived by his parents, Terri and Guy, his big brother Alex, his future sister-in-law Olivia and his girlfriend Abby, his godparents Tammy and Bruce Barry and Chad Finne, his grandparents Sharon Hodgman, Russell and Audrey Finne and Kevin Callister. His many uncles, aunts and cousins who adored and loved him.
Sam was preceded in death by his Grandpa Frank Hodgman and Aunt Teri Grose
A Visitation and A Celebration of Faith and Life will be held. The Visitation will be on June 2nd from 4pm – 7pm. The Celebration of Faith and Life services will be held on June 3rd at 11:00 am. Both events will be held at Faith Community Church in West Concord, MN. In honor of Sam, feel free to wear your favorite Big 10 team gear! We hope his family and friends will be able to attend to celebrate all that Sam was. It will be Sam’s opportunity to ask, “Are you doing ok?”.
Please no flowers. Tied to the celebration event will be an opportunity to contribute to Sam’s medical and funeral expenses
