Mr. Paul Eric Haavisto, age 60, a loving and beloved son and brother, passed away into the arms of Jesus at St. Joseph’s Hospice on Sunday, March 8th, 2015.
Paul, our pride and joy, was born in Port Arthur on December 12th, 1954 and was baptized in Bethel Lutheran Church on December 17th, 1954. He attended Twinhaven School and then began work in the woodworking department of Arc Industries (Monty Parks Centre) where he was employed for over 30 years. He was also an employee of Safeway on Court St. for over 10 years.
His main interests were his family, his church and his work. To family and friends he brought joy and support. Paul enjoyed bowling with Special Olympics and excelled in this sport. He was talented in music, loving to sing in both Finnish and English, play the maracas and listen to music. He loved to visit his relatives in Toronto and cheer on the Maple Leafs and Blue Jays.
Paul is survived by his father, Paavo and his brother David. He is also survived by his uncle and godparent Mikko (Anja) Haavisto, his cousins Lois (Bruce) Bickerton, Julie (Steve) Trevisan, John (Bonnie) Hendrickson and Janna Hendrickson. Paul is also survived by his mother’s cousins Margaret (Charles) Johnson, Richard (Sandra) Rissanen, Joan Rissanen and his second cousins, including Mark whose birthday was also December 12th. Paul is also survived by many relatives in Finland.
He was predeceased by his mother in April of 2009 and his aunts Toini Hendrickson (Wilbert) in July of 2010 and Vieno Rantanen in December of 1981. He was also predeceased by his grandmother, Sigrid Rantanen.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday March 13th, 2015 in the Chapel of the HARBOURVIEW FUNERAL CENTRE, 499 North Cumberland Street, and will be officiated by Rev. Jorma Tuomisto of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM). Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to service. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Paul’s memory to the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM), Community Living Thunder Bay or to a charity of your choice.
“I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Ps. 17:15)
