Mr. Walter Hakanen, the kindest, gentlest husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully with his family by his side after a long courageous battle with cancer on Thursday, July 16, 2015 in St. Joseph’s Hospital – Hospice Unit.
Walter was born on July 1, 1936 in Geraldton, Ontario. Walter loved spending time with his family at his camp in Pearl, where he spent many happy hours planting vegetables in his garden, hunting, fishing and trapping.
Walter worked for 25 years at Provincial Paper and was a proud union member. He loved reminiscing about his travels as a young man working on the lakers on the Great Lakes where he discovered his love for Toronto where he and his wife Joyce made frequent trips. He loved the big city. As a young couple, Walter and Joyce made frequent drives to Seattle, Washington.
Walter will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Joyce, his children Lori Owens, Bradley (Cathy) Hakanen and Terry (Gerry) Scocchia, his grandchildren Michael, Matthew, Laura, Darwin, Bradley (Krissy), Kyle, Tia and Gerry, his great grandchildren Caleb and Lily and his sister Kaisa Pressenger.
Walter was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Lily Hakanen and daughter Katherine Gelatly.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire donations may be made to the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society or to the Salvation Army.
