ASTORIA – William Patrick “Bill” Finucane, 81, of Astoria, died Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006, in Astoria. He was born July 22, 1925, in Grants Pass, Ore., to William “Dub” and Aerial (Newton) Finucane. He was raised in Oregon City, Ore.

He married Diane De Rossitt Dec. 16, 1983, in Long Beach. She survives, residing in Astoria.

In February 1943, Mr. Finucane entered active service in the U. S. Navy. He served in the attack tug fleet, aboard the USS Yuma 94, which was put into commission in Portland and crossed the Columbia River Bar for the South Pacific in September 1943. His awards included the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal with three stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon. He was honorably discharged in April 1946.

After returning from World War II, he worked as a pile buck and was a tender when his father was on diving jobs for Devine and Zimmerman Co. Later, Mr. Finucane was a construction superintendent for Donald M. Drake and Co. in Portland. He and his family commercial fished for years from Celilo Falls to Tillamook Bay, and he was the skipper and owner of F.V. Blue Mist and Kelly. Starting in 1946, he spent many years fishing in Alaska, Cook Inlet and the Columbia River. He was instrumental in starting the Columbia River Legal Fund that helped bring Salmon For All back in business to protect commercial fishing rights.

A member and past exalted ruler of the Condon Elks Lodge, he was also a member of the Moose Lodge and the American Legion, member and political action committee chairman of Salmon for All and past president and lifetime member the BKS Sportsmen’s Club. He was also a representative for and member of the United Cook Inlet Drift Association in Kenai, Alaska, a member of the Northwest Gillnetters Association, president of the River Protective Union and a member of the National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors.

Family members said he enjoyed golfing, hunting, sports fishing, woodworking and his children.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Susan “Suzi” Kastings of Welches, Ore., and Kathleen and John Schaeffe of Lewistown, Mont.; a stepdaughter, Amber McMahan of Eureka, Calif.; two sons and one daughter-in-law, William Shane and Donna Finucane of Moore, Mont., and Kelly Patrick Finucane of Portland, Ore.; and grandchildred, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will take place at 1 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Elks Lodge in Astoria. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Oregon Chapter, 1311 N.W. 21st Ave., Portland, OR 97209.