REINO ONNI HUITIKA

“Uncle” Reino Onni Huitika, 76, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends, on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at the Dryden Regional Health Centre in Dryden, Ont.
Reino was born July 5, 1936 in the original homestead in Finland, Ont., or “behind the woodpile” as he liked to say.
He travelled to Ladysmith, B.C. when he was 16 years old to work as a logger for a year before returning to Finland, Ont. to work in the logging industry. In the summer, Reino worked as a stone mason for nine years, creating artisan split stone walls and fireplaces.
He married Helen Kereliuk on Aug. 22, 1959.
Reino had his first butter pecan sundae, which convinced him to open the Dairy Queen when they arrived in Dryden in 1965.
Reino and Helen had three children and they were active in the community, where Reino was a member of the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, and the local Yacht Club. Reino was active in business and also owned the Aroma Pizza in Dryden for two years, as well as starting a logging company and partnering in draglines and a waterbomber.
Reino enjoyed socializing and liked to curl and bowl with his friends, but his passion was to fish and hunt. He was ready to go out on the first day of every fishing season and had all the newest electronics—but no idea of how to operate any of them.
He liked to think of himself as a “trophy hunter” and he was in constant competition with his oldest daughter.
Reino met his current partner, Agnes Bachmann, in 1980. He loved to spend time in the outdoors and bought a cabin on Wabigoon Lake, where his family and friends spent countless summers barbecuing, fishing, and having saunas.
He bought Tukto Fishing Lodge in the Northwest Territories with his brother and son, where he guided and entertained the guests with his endless big fish stories.
Reino had a passion for gadgets and toys, and he filled his garage with thermometers, flashlights, tools, and tractors.
Reino also loved to travel and visited his children often, as well as exotic places around the world. He was extremely warm and personable, and often made lifelong friends on his trips.
Reino had a unique and easy sense of humour that made him great company, and he often had long “general meetings” in his garage with his friends.
Reino retired and sold the Dairy Queen in 2011 that employed a span of three generations of staff.
His friends and family were the most important things to him in his life, and that was reflected by the number of people who cared for and supported him during his final days.
Reino is survived by his children, Thomas (Heather) Huitika and their daughter, Kelsey, of Brentwood Bay, B.C., Karen (Micheal) Pearson of Houston, Tex., and Tracy (Brinder Bains) Huitika and their daughters, Maya and Maxine, of Vancouver, B.C.
He will be missed by his long-time partner, Agnes Bachmann and her children, Ian Bachmann, Diane Bachmann, and Candice Bachmann; ex-wife and mother of his children, Helen Pattison; sister, Helen Radauskas; brothers, Olivi, Robert, Don, and Rick Huitikka; and numerous nieces and nephews.
His companionship also will be missed by his close friends, Hans Albisser, Marcel Bovine, George Breeze, Fernando Corvella, Marty Kleptch, Bill Muxlow, Esa Salo, and Pauli Viheriasalo, who enjoyed his company and helped him through his last days.
He was predeceased by his parents, Onni and Eileen Huitikka; brother, Albert Huitikka; and brother-in-law and close friend, Alexander Kereliuk.
Cremation will take place and as per Reino’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. Instead, a celebration of Reino’s life will be held Friday, April 19, 2013 from 1-4 p.m. at the Dryden Ukrainian Hall on Cecil Avenue.
In lieu of flowers and donations, the family requests that friends bring pictures to put on his life board and stories to share during open microphone time.
“General Meeting Adjourned.”