Longtime Sudbury businessman, Taisto Aarre Kullervo Eilomaa passed away at Health Sciences North on January 30, 2021 as a result of complications brought on by COVID 19. He was 91.
He is survived by his wife and companion Riitta Nurmikivi, daughter Barbara (Wayne) Major, was a cherished Pappa to granddaughter Elisa (Steven) McNeil, and great-grandchildren Clarke and Laura McNeil, all of Sudbury. He was predeceased on Sept. 12, 2005 by his first wife after 53 years of marriage.
Also left to mourn is his extended Nurmikivi family: stepsons Mikko (Paula) Nurmikivi, Sudbury, and Marko (Caroline) Nurmikivi, Lively; grandsons: Anders (Liisa) Nurmikivi of Chelmsford, and Evan (fiance Cassidy) Nurmikivi of Chapleau, Matti and Tiia Nurmikivi of Lively and great grandchildren Freja and Tahvo, Chelmsford.
Mr. Eilomaa is survived in Finland by his sister Asta Åström, nephews Jarkko (Outi) and Petteri, half sister Taimi Laakso and half brother Teuvo Eilomaa, along with nieces Maija-Liisa Porkka, Marja-Leena Myllymäki, and Pirjo (Eero) Tienhaara, nephew Eero Laalo and numerous other relatives and friends in Finland. Mr. Eilomaa was predeceased by one sister, Sirkka and half brother Tauno.
Born Nov. 18, 1929 to Saima and Frances Eilomaa in Lohja, Finland, he decided to immigrate to Canada when he was 22 in search of a better life. He boarded a ship, arriving in Montreal in 1951. It was during the crossing that he met his first wife of 53 years Laura Akkanen. They were married March 6, 1952.
The couple did not stay in Montreal long, choosing to make their way to Toronto and shortly after to Sudbury where the promise of employment was good. But his independent spirit got him to soon go into business for himself, opening Lockerby Auto Service where he put his mechanic’s training to good use. It was during this period that he could often be seen racing and fixing his own stock car on the local oval track. He even found time to secure his private pilot’s license and flew his own plane for many years.
A new investment opportunity presented itself in 1958 and he partnered with Johannes Herald (deceased) to purchase Brown’s Concrete Products Ltd. Their close relationship remained strong through the 37 years they shared ownership of the bustling business and for many years thereafter, including when they partnered to open Wanup Sand and Gravel Pit and Taisto’s Trucking, ventures Mr. Eilomaa got into after selling his interest in Brown’s Concrete.
Mr. Eilomaa was well into his 70s when he finally decided to hang up his entrepreneurial hat and enjoy a well-earned retirement. Mr. Eilomaa’s life experiences depicted a man of integrity, hardwork and SISU.
He remained very active in the city, particularly the Finnish community in Sudbury. He has been a member of the Voima Athletic Club since 1952 and also the Finnish Canadian Historical Society since 1968, where he was directly involved in the efforts to preserve the history of Finnish citizens by ensuring that those residents settling in Sudbury of Finnish descent have been documented, particularly through photography collection and archiving. Mr. Eilomaa was one of the founding members and former president of the Finlandiakoti Finnish seniors’ residence, where he resided for the last five years. He was also active in the Masons and Shriners for more than three decades.
A soft-spoken and gregarious man, Mr. Eilomaa enjoyed the company of long-time friends and nurtured many new friendships. During frequent return trips to his native Finland, he always managed to reconnect with old school chums and many countrymen whom he just met. Mr. Eilomaa was happiest spending time with his family. On a daily basis Mr. Eilomaa would skype/facetime with friends and family in Finland and across Canada.
The family extends appreciation to the caring medical staff at Health Sciences North, in particular Dr. Hamilton and attending nurses who cared for him with such compassion.
Because of the pandemic, no funeral service will be held and a Celebration of life will be scheduled for at a later date, both in Sudbury and Finland.
Memorial donations may be made to the Finnish Canadian Historical Society, the Finlandia Sisu Foundation or charity of your personal choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Lougheed Funeral Home.
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Saturday January 30th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Taisto Aarre Eilomaa Saturday January 30th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Sudbury, Province: Ontario