Volli Soer

Mr. Volli Soer, aged 83 years, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospice on July 3, 2021.

Born in Petseri, Estonia on October 15, 1937, the family had to exit quickly because of the war and immigrated to Sweden in 1945 and later Sherbrooke, Quebec in 1949, all at the tender age of 12 with his parents, where his mother sadly passed away.

Later in 1953 he moved to Port Arthur with his father and graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1958. He also obtained his Private Pilot Licence on September 15, 1959, one of his proudest moments.

In 1960 he married Frances (nee Ferguson) on September 9 and they had two daughters.

He received his Journeymen Papers as an Electrician and started working at Great Lakes Paper in 1966, retiring in 1994 due to health issues.

Volli was an extremely hard worker, always offering to fix everything for everyone to save them spending their hard earned dollars. One of his biggest endeavours was the wiring of Riverview Raceways track in Thunder Bay and renovating the old family home.

He was also an automotive mechanic, always keeping the family vehicles and every other motor in good repair.

He renovated the family camp at Kabigon Bay in Shebandowan in 2004, adding a 600 foot addition.

He loved his electronics, TV and computer. He also had a great respect for all life. Any little bug, critter or spider was always given a safe passage outside.

Volli is survived by his daughters Wanda and Brenda and step-brothers Rein and Gerry Andresen of Brandon, Manitoba. Predeceased by his wife Frances on September 9, 2017, his mother Hilda and father Voldemar in 1986.

The daughters extend their heartfelt thanks to the doctors and the very caring nurses on 2N in St. Joseph’s Hospital and Hospice on 4N, where he spent his last few days, and to Dr. Minty at the TBRHSC.

Cremation has taken place and a private interment will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, St. Joseph’s Foundation - Hospice and Palliative Care or the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.