Heikki "Henry" Lahtinen

In loving memory of Heikki (Henry) Lahtinen who passed away on December 11, 2018 with his family by his side.

Heikki was born on September 8, 1934 in Ahtari, Finland. In May of 1956 he immigrated to Canada settling in what was Port Arthur at that time. He started out working in various bush camps until he began his 45 year career as a Construction Superintendent with Thunder Bay Harbour Improvements, LeBrun Contracting and finishing his career with MLA Northern Contracting with the construction of the Mission Marsh bridge in Thunder Bay. He was very proud of his accomplishments as he completed all of his life work with quality and excellence. His career brought him all around Northwestern Ontario where he was involved in the construction of many bridges, paper mills, grain elevators and power dams. His passion for construction and building showed in the family homes and in the homes he built or renovated for each of his children.

Heikki was an active member for almost 50 years with the Knights of Kaleva and for over 60 years with the Carpenter and Joiners Union until the time of his passing.

Heikki married his life partner Liisa spending over 60 years together. They travelled in their pre-retirement years for winter holidays to Hawaii and the Canary Islands and spent many years vacationing in Lake Worth, Florida. After living for 43 years in the last family home on Duke Street, Heikki and Liisa moved to Suomi Koti where they have resided for the last 6 years, and have both been very active in promoting a community within their building for all of the tenants. He was also well known at The Safeway Starbucks where he would start out his day meeting his coffee buddies discussing all the latest news. Then, he would do his rounds throughout the day to the many grocery stores he frequented daily where he had many social connections that he enjoyed chatting with. In his retirement, Heikki was happiest in the kitchen cooking for his grandchildren who fondly referred to him as “Vaari”. His expression of love was shown in his serving of food, especially his infamous Finnish pancakes for all of his family.

Isa (Dad) will be greatly missed, by his wife Liisa, children Jarmo (Helen), Mary (Solomon), Anne (Allan), Dana (Dave) and Tina (Gregg); step daughters in Finland, Ritva (Martti) & family and Leena (Juha); sister Kerttu, brother Paavo, both in Finland and brother Jussi in Sweden; nieces Tarja and Seija in Finland; his grandchildren Reijo, Mikko, Tamara, Michael, Jasmine, Kale, Brennen, Jillian & Allison; great grandchildren Jackson & Paige.
He was predeceased by his grandson Kai, parents Onni and Maija Lahtinen & brother-in-law Eino Lehtoranta all of Ahtari, Finland.

A service celebrating Heikki’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2018 at Hilldale Lutheran Church, 321 Hilldale Road, presided by Rev. Jari Lahtinen.  Visitation for family and friends will begin one hour prior.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish, donations may be made in Heikki’s memory to Hilldale Lutheran Church, TBRHSC-Northern Cancer Fund or Suomi Koti, Inc.