Community mourns local man with larger-than-life personality

Although Monroe resident Alex Finney had fallen on hard times, his death is being mourned by friends, family members and acquaintances from around the globe.

On Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 17, Monroe Police Department officers discovered Finney, after responding to a report of an unconscious male in a vehicle near the intersection of McDougall and Lewis streets. The 44-year-old was known to have been living inside the white Dodge pickup truck in which he was found.

Responding firefighters told police that Finney was lying on the front seat of the pickup, and attempts to wake him were unsuccessful. They broke the driver's side window in order to gain unrestricted access.

Officers closed off a portion of East McDougall Street, in between Lewis and Ferry streets, to investigate the scene. There were no obvious injuries and no signs of foul play.

Friends from around the world have responded to Finney's death. The son of missionaries, Finney grew up in South Africa, and was known to be a dynamic, larger-than-life individual.

New York resident Candy Fryer grew up with Finney in South Africa. Fryer's father, John Grant, was the contractor responsible for building the college where Finney's father taught and the church where his family worshipped.

"He was always the best looking guy around, the toughest one, always up for a party but he also loved to just hang out and go fishing GÇô he loved fishing,GÇ¥ Fryer said. "Although he tried to always act so tough, he had such a soft side and was so caring, he would be there in a heartbeat for his friends and go above and beyond to help where he could.

"He was the friend that everyone wanted to be, to be with, and when he left to come to the USA to study, he took a little bit of us each with him,GÇ¥ she continued.

South Africa resident Regan Erasmus became acquainted with Finney during his time there. After completing school in 1996, Erasmus visited Seattle and stayed with Finney for a period of time.

"We lost touch, but he was one of the most influential people in my life,GÇ¥ Erasmus said. "He was a real life superhero.GÇ¥ -á

Close friend and West Seattle resident Joe Moorman also grew up in South Africa with Finney. He said that with Finney as a friend, there never a dull moment. Innovative and talented at whatever he set his mind to, Finney was always up for adventure. The two would go fishing, or rent scuba gear and go diving in Lake Washington for sunglasses. -á

"He meant so much to so many people,GÇ¥ Moorman said. "He was a true human being with flaws and strong points GÇô his strong side was stronger than anyone I knew. He was just a legend GÇô he was truly a legend. He could just do anything.GÇ¥

Moorman was aware that Finney struggled with depression and had turned to drugs. He said that this was where Finney's strength worked against him.

"He couldn't help himself, but he could help other people,GÇ¥ Moorman said. "He would never want to admit to us that he had these issues.GǪ He had his demons, I guess.GÇ¥-á

Moorman remembered the time that Finney decided to enter a bodybuilding contest, which he won. As a teenager, he won every athletic competition he participated in. Anything that Finney set out to do, said Moorman, he did in a significant way, whether it was gardening, building something, running a business or constructing a fort.

"This is someone who really could have been a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys,GÇ¥ Moorman said. "I had to stop telling my stories, they were so unbelievable GÇô people thought I was a liar.GÇ¥

Friend and Monroe resident Jeff Petry reflected on Finney's strong proclivity for fixing and building things. He liked to hire him to help with landscaping and home-repair projects because he was so talented and capable. He was aware that Finney had fallen on hard times and was living in his truck and marveled that, despite his struggles, he was constantly busy doing things for other people.

"Alex was a man of his word. His life was devoted to helping those around him with his unbelievable talent and knowledge,GÇ¥ Petry said. "He will be greatly missed by his friends, family and all of the people he had helped.GÇ¥

The Snohomish County Medical Examiner has listed the cause and manner of death as pending. The full toxicology screening is expected to take 11 to 12 weeks.

Finney is survived by his mother and two siblings.