Finley Gordon Smith remembered as ‘ambassador’ for Mackay after sudden death
An up and coming community ‘ambassador’ known for his larger-than-life hugs has tragically died at age 25, before his family and colleagues got to ‘see what he could be able to achieve’.
Mackay
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The community is in mourning after the loss of a ‘future leader’ in Finley Smith, who sadly died from an epileptic seizure.
The spirited 25 year old has been remembered for his tenacity and compassion in business, along with his larger-than-life hugs.
Mr Smith grew up with his older brother Riley and his younger sister Michelie, a trio his mother Vicki and father Greg Smith affectionately knew to be “thick as thieves”.
Finley and Michelie were only 16 months apart, growing up as “virtually twins”, while his relationship with Riley transformed from being “the little brother to a best mate” as the pair grew older.
Mr Smith said Finley was a “larrikin and scoundrel” as a child and maintained his spirit into adulthood where he was forever “having a crack” and joking with others.
“He was always a bit out there, he was the life of the party from an early age,” his father said.
After finishing school at Mackay North State High School, Finley went to James Cook University and then Central Queensland University where he studied business.
But it was during a Christmas break that Finley’s new passion emerged when he undertook work experience as a mortgage broker at Gardian and quickly fell in love.
“He loved the Broncos, Arsenal hockey and Gardian,” Mr Smith said.
Gardian partner Ben Phillips worked with Finley during his time as a mortgage broker, before he later switched lanes to real estate where he worked alongside his father.
“He was a very caring guy, he had an older head on his young shoulders,” Mr Phillips said.
“I would have clients that I really wanted to help out, they would have such bad stories.”
Mr Phillips said he knew who he could turn to in those times with absolute trust Finley would be able to help them.
“There are a few clients who if it wasn’t for Fin, we wouldn’t have been able to do,” he said.
Mr Phillips said Finley would tinker away for hours to find the perfect fit for clients who were struggling.
“He had the foresight to do it, not any ‘it’s too hard we can’t do its’,” he said.
“He really changed a lot of people’s lives.”
Mr Phillips said Finley’s death was a massive loss, “not only to Gardian but to Mackay”.
“He was an ambassador for our region and a massive loss as a future leader, especially to us,” he said.
“That’s the worst thing about it, we don’t get to see what he could be able to achieve.”
Finley Smith died during the night on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, about two years after he had his first epileptic seizure while at his sister’s university graduation dinner in Brisbane.
His father said since the incident, Finley had worked to restore his health with his last seizure eight months ago.
“There was no indication this was likely to happen,” Mr Smith said.
“He finally got his medication right, he’d never been better in terms of his health and his outlook; he was kicking his goals.”
Mr Smith said the family and friends were still trying to reconcile the loss of his son and work mate.
“I started dialling his phone number this morning,” Mr Smith said.
“It’s going to be a long hard road.”
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