Remembering Pat Finn: Family Tributes Honor Beloved Actor and 'The Middle' Star
The daughters of The Middle star Pat Finn, Cassidy and Caitlin Finn, have shared heartfelt messages following their father’s passing at the age of 60.
“Dad, you were and are a guiding light and an inspiration to everyone who knew you. I struggled to find a single word to capture who you were, but no word could ever truly do it justice,” Cassidy wrote on Instagram Tuesday, December 23. “You were Pat Finn. The most surprising thing was hearing the nurses say they had never seen so many people visit a hospital for one person. That was just the kind of man my dad was.”
Pat, who died on Tuesday after a battle with bladder cancer, is survived by his wife Donna and their three children: Cassidy, Caitlin and Ryan.
“My life is permanently altered because of him,” Cassidy wrote in her social media tribute. “He taught me to be humorous, optimistic, humble, to listen, to always strive for my best, to love and to surround myself with wonderful people. But most importantly – he taught me kindness.”
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She continued, “I’ve never encountered a single person who had a negative thing to say about my dad. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to call him my dad. I can’t wait to share an Old Style beer with him again someday. I love you 10, Dad.”
Cassidy shared a subsequent tribute to her father on Christmas morning.
“My dad used to post this picture of himself dressed as Santa every year,” Cassidy wrote on Thursday, December 25, sharing a throwback image of Pat in the iconic costume. “Christmas isn’t the same this year without you. Merry Christmas and Happy holidays to everyone!”
Cassidy’s sister, Caitlin, responded, commenting, “He will always be the best gift as our dad.”
Caitlin also posted her own social media tribute to Pat.
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“It’s challenging to articulate how to describe someone like my dad. Primarily because there truly was no one quite like him,” Caitlin wrote in a Tuesday upload. “But recently, I’ve found myself saying the word proud a lot. I’m proud of the life he built. I’m proud of him for pursuing his ambitions. I’m proud of him for marrying the love of his life. I’m proud of him for being the most genuine and selfless person every day. I’m proud of him for the fight he fought and never surrendering.”
She continued, “I wish we had more time because there are still so many more questions I have, stories I want to hear, and movies I want to watch together, even if we end up talking the whole time. … I’m so fortunate to have had 28 years with you. A part of me will never be the same, and I don’t know how the world continues to move without you in it, but I will carry you with me in everything I do.”
Caitlin further reflected that she has found “solace in knowing [Pat is] free from pain” from his cancer battle.
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“I promise I will make you proud every day,” Caitlin concluded. “As you always said, ‘Life is simply the time we spend in between laughs.’ But now Dad, it’s time for you to make some people laugh up there. I love you, 10. Thank you, Dad, and cheers to you forever.”
Pat was cherished for his comedic roles on shows like The Middle, Seinfeld and Friends.
“One of the reasons [I agreed to appear on Seinfeld was] it was my wife and my favorite show,” Pat recalled on a 2021 episode of the “Seinfeld – This Podcast Is Making Me Thirsty” podcast. “It’s one of those things where, as an actor, your job is to memorize your lines, go in and do your part and then leave. That’s kind of what I anticipated, and so when I was finished with the scene, I’d go over to this table in the middle where they had magazines and newspapers. I just stayed there so I could listen and learn from their rehearsals.”
