The family of Tauno Richard Laine sadly announces the passing of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather on Monday May 14th, 2018.
Survived by wife Helen, sons Bryan (Marcella), Gary (Denise) and Howard. Also survived by grandsons Matthew (Daisy), Jordan (Lisa), Wade Robinson (Jenelle) and Brian Robinson. Dad was especially proud of his great-grandchildren Connor, Aiden and Carter. Other family members include his nieces Virginia (George) Jalava, Arlene Lehto and nephews Donald Peuramaki and Danny Johnson and numerous relatives in Finland.
He was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Lyydi Laine, sister Wilma and brothers-in-laws Vilppo Peuramaki and Edwin Johnson.
Dad was born April 29, 1925 in Port Arthur, Ontario and spent his childhood on the family farm in Intola. He attended school at SS#4. He began his work career assisting his father on the sawmill, baling hay and pumping gas at his dad's store on Dawson Road (where Leppanens is today).
At the age of 16, he began his trucking career hauling sand and gravel and pulpwood. He spent the following 60 years as an independent trucker, sawmiller, logger and sand and gravel contractor. He built many of the summer camp driveways, building pads, septic fields and beaches in the Trout Lake to Dog Lake cottage corridor.
In 1948, he married the love of his life Helli and they spent most of their married life in Kivikoski until failing health forced them to move to the city. They would have celebrated 70 years together in October 2018.
He and Mom particularly enjoyed attending dances at the 55 Plus Center and the Finlandia Club. Over the years he also enjoyed sipping coffee with cronies at the Kestitupa, Hoito and the food court at County Fair. Moving dirt, pushing down trees and plowing snow on his 'lawn tractor' (his International TD14 crawler) kept him occupied at home.
The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the staff on the 2nd and 3rd floor of Bethammi nursing for their compassionate and professional care during his residency there.
As per Dad's wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday May 18th from 1pm to 4pm at North McIntyre Recreation Center on Government Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or to the Alzheimers Society of Thunder Bay.
Arrangements are in care of the Sargent & Son Funeral Directors, 21 N. Court Street. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
