MATTI YRJO KOLEHMAINEN

Mr. Matti Yrjo (Ukki) Kolehmainen, 80, a resident of Thunder Bay, Ont., passed away unexpectedly in Thunder Bay Regional Hospital–General on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003.
Matti was born Aug. 5, 1922 in Kinnula, Finland. He served in the Finnish Army, and in 1944, married Saimi Elina Sikanen, his wife of 59 years. They immigrated to Canada (Port Arthur) in 1957 with their young family to start a new life.
Matti worked in various bush camps over the years where, during his leisure time, he could enjoy his love of the great outdoors picking berries and fishing.
Prior to retirement, he worked as a pulp truck driver for Great Lakes Paper.
Once retired, Matti enjoyed spending time with his family. Ukki loved to work with his hands—which were never idle—and he spent hours making gifts for his family, which will be treasured always.
His greatest passion was fishing, whether it was ice fishing on Lake Superior or canoeing on an inland lake. Fishing was something he never tired of.
Matti is survived by his wife, Saimi, and children, Vuokko “Vi” (Dan) Belluz and their daughters, Patricia (Doug) Cates and Christina; Erkki (Debbie) Kolehmainen and their children, Liisa, Kaija, and Derek; Kaisa (Lauri) Penttinen and their children, Paula and Hannes; Ansa (Barry) Newton and their children, Michael, Laura, and Kelly; Maija (Richard) Rigey and their children, Mailis, Matthew, and Mark; and Lea (John) Hayes and their daughters, Ashla, Alysha and Kirsti; and great-granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Hailey.
Also surviving are two brothers and three sisters in Finland.
He was predeceased by his parents, Hilma and Juho Kolehmainen; two sisters; and six brothers in Finland.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, officiated by Rev. Jari Lahtinen of Hilldale Lutheran Church, followed by cremation.
A private family entombment of cremains will take place in Sunset Memorial Gardens at a later date.
Visitation for family and friends was held on Saturday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Harbourview Funeral Centre.
As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Matti’s memory to the charity of your choice.