Obituary of Reino Jaakkimainen
Our Dad enjoyed life and just after his 95th birthday he peacefully passed away on November 13, 2022. “DJ” will be greatly missed by his children Leif (Bonnie), Leena (Graham) and Liisa (John). He was ridiculously proud of his grandchildren Owen and Ella and Ethan (Rita). He loved to watch the excitement of his great grandchildren Beckett and Abram during our family Christmas Eve celebrations.
Reino was an Ingrian Finn, born in Kurkela. He told us many stories about the hardships during WWII of having the German and Russian front pass through his family home. Yet as a family he along with his parents (Aatami and Maria) and brothers (Jussi and Matti) survived the siege of Leningrad. After the war, he trained as an engineer in Sweden where he met and married our mother (Anitta-predeceased). Dad wanted the best for his children and saw Canada as the country of peace and opportunity. Our parents immigrated in 1951 and raised their family. He was a proud Canadian.
Dad worked at the E.B. Eddy Forest Products Company for over 40 years, where he retired as their Chief Design Engineer. He spent much time with “the gang” from E.B. Eddy’s participating in several marathons including running, cycling and roller-skiing. But cross-country skiing was his passion. He completed the Canadian Ski Marathon, Coureur des Bois (Bronze, Silver and 3 Golds), Finlandia-hiihto Loppet and Swedish Vasaloppet.
Dad loved Ottawa and never wanted to leave. He was able to stay in his home because of the kind and dedicated support from Laura, Lisa, Yilma, Rab and Carleton and our cousins Timo (Leah) and Annette (Scott). In his last 6 weeks, he was surrounded by his family and embraced by his Finnish community at Suomi-Koti in Toronto.
The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) on Wednesday November 23, 2022 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday November 26, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 715 Roosevelt Avenue, Ottawa. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Suomi-Koti, 795 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto M4G 4E4 (416-425-4134 or email: reception@suomikoti.ca).
Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
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