Leo Evald Torkkeli

With great sadness and broken hearts, the family of Leo Evald Torkkeli announces his passing on September 4, 2021 at Hogarth Riverview Manor, surrounded by family.

Leo was born October 3, 1924 in Terijoki, Finland to Elviira and Pekka Torkkeli. He immigrated to Canada in 1950 with his brother Olavi by ship to Halifax, settling in Port Arthur. Dad began working for Domtar for over 35 years as a lumberjack and Dad could always be found wearing a plaid shirt.

Leo met his future wife Lillie Sumners (Kaartinen) in Port Arthur. The two were married April 24 1968 and he adopted her three youngest children, Willy, Darlene and Wilma.

However, he treated her children Allan, Lillian, Ken and Lyle as his own as well and spent the rest of his life looking out for his family.

Together they loved camping and fishing at the family camp at Shebandowan Lake and later at Waweig Lake. They had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and Leo was able to meet the youngest great-grandson Mackenzie this summer.

Leo was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Lillie Torkkeli (2017), daughter Wilma Morrow (2014), Daughter-in-law Marcy Sumners (2020), parents and siblings including younger brother Olavi Torkkeli (2018).

Leo is survived by his children, Willy Torkkeli and Darlene Torkkeli, step-children Allan and Linda Sumners, Lillian and Frank Cormier, Ken Sumners and Lyle Sumners. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Eino Viikeri (Mathew Viikeri), Liisa Wilton and Wade Hughes, Roy Viikeri and Tamara Varney (Justin and Emma Viikeri), Heather and Joe Bouley (Cody and Jordan Bouley), Patti Brown (Michael Brown), John Sumners (Rayann Gustafson), Wayne Sumners (Tamara Sumners), Audrey and Dave Talbot (Keira, Matthew and Joshua Trott), Collin Graham, Tuula Graham and Chris Myslicki (Sohvi Myslicki), Sheri and Carmelo Notarbartolo (Maddox Notarbartolo), Jake Torkkeli (Hunter, Bentley and Aislynn Torkkeli), Luke and Allie Morrow (Mackenzie Morrow), and Logan Morrow and Rhuori Shepherd. Also surviving are sister-in-law Lilli Torkkeli and her family, as well as family in Finland, Canada and Germany.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society. Special thank you goes out to the caring staff on 2 North at Hogarth for Dad’s care.

Heaven gained the kindest, gentlest soul and we have lost a wonderful dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend.

Funeral Services for Leo will be held in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre on Thursday, September 9th, 2021 presided by Rev. Jari Lahtinen at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m. Due to current gathering restrictions, space is limited. Please call the funeral home at 346-9880 if you wish to attend the Funeral Service.

For those unable to attend in person, the service will be streamed live and then archived at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca where condolences may be offered as well.

As directed by the Province of Ontario and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, a record of attendance must be maintained. Wearing of masks or face coverings by everyone and maintaining social distancing of 6 feet is mandatory for those attending the visitation and services.