Passed away in his 81st year on Monday, January 22, 2018 at home after a lengthy illness. Beloved husband of Hilkka for 56 years. Loving father of Erika and loyal fishing partner to Erika’s husband, Jamie Hamilton. Cherished Pappa to his grandson “Jaakko Kulta”, Jack Szostak, the apple of his eye, and buddy to Jack’s Autism Service Dog, Google. Lenni will be sorrowfully missed by his siblings Lilja (Jouko (Kalijarvi) of Alaharma, Finland; Leila (Brian) Farrell of Winnipeg, MB; Liisa of Thunder Bay, ON; Launo of Wawa, ON; Luja (Suzanne) of Ladysmith, BC and his sister-in-law Gwen Luoma of Sudbury, ON. Predeceased by his mother Elma, father Kustaa-Jaakko, step-mother Kaarina and brothers Leino, Leo and Lauri. Will be sadly missed by his brother-in-law Martti (Mirja) Maenpaa of Alavus, Finland. Fondly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren in Canada, USA, Finland and Australia. Lenni was born and raised in South Porcupine, ON and upon high school graduation, Lenni worked at Dome Mines until 1964 when he moved with Hilkka to Toronto where he spent 21 years as a Sales and Service Manager for a Restaurant and Grocery Equipment Company. In 1985, he returned to the North with his family to operate Northern Lights Restaurant in Wawa and in 1988, they relocated to Sault Ste. Marie where Lenni was the Manager of Hiawatha Lodge, then operated Frenchies’ Fries for one season before going into automotive sales, retiring from Riverside Chrysler in 2004. Lenni enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, the outdoors, singing and spending time with his grandson Jack. He was a Church Council member of St. Mary’s Finnish Lutheran Church and most recently with Zion Lutheran Church. Lenni was a Charter Member of the Erin Optimist Club and was a member of the Sault Finnish Male Chorus, “Kaleva”, and the North American Finnish Male Singers, “Amerikan Laulujat”. Many thanks to Lenni’s loyal neighbours, friends and family for their support and to many doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals at Sault Area Hospital, the Group Health Centre, CCAC and BayShore Healthcare for their excellent care. A special thank you to all the first responders for their compassionate assistance. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., on what would have been Lenni’s 82nd birthday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the National Service Dogs in honour of his grandson Jack’s Service Dog, NSD Google, or to Zion Lutheran Church, would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, 705-945-7758).
