Silla vuoret vaistykoot ja kukkulat horjukoot, mutta minun armoni ei sinusta vaisty, eika minun rauhanliittoni horju, sanoo Herra, sinun armahtajasi. Isaiah 54:10
Just after midnight on the 2nd day of May, 2021, our Heavenly Father in His infinite mercy called his suffering child to his Eternal Home where there is no pain. Manu Johannes (John) Nojonen, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and paappa was born on February 25, 1935 to Rauha and Matti Nojonen in a sauna on the shore of Vaarajoki, Ikaalinen, Finland. Perhaps that is why he always loved the sauna for the total relaxation and cleansing it provided followed by a dip into the lake wherever possible.
John was the second born to a family that would have six children. He was four years old when his father was called to serve his country at war. It was then that John was sent to live with his aunt and uncle, the thought being that if the battle reached Ikaalinen at least the eldest son would survive.
During his childhood at Viinamaki (Jalasjarvi), John at a tender age had his first experience working in a grocery store. He learned to drive at the age of 8 and with his feet barely reaching the pedals the local police gave permission for him to drive on the country roads with his uncle who was often ill. At the age of 14 he joined his parents and siblings in Turku. In October 1951 he immigrated to Canada with his family and came directly to Port Arthur. When he came to Canada he chose the name John, the anglicized version of Johannes. At 16 years of age John’s first job was shovelling coal at Krokback Coal and then as a delivery man for Langila Hardware. While working for Economy Grocery, he learned the trade of meat cutter. He worked for Shop Easy Stores as meat manager prior to opening his own business in partnership with Veikko Parkkari, having purchased Economy Grocery. Soon they opened Bay Meats, which John owned and operated until 1976. He was then called to work as Lay Chaplain for Lutheran Social Services and completed a quarter of Clinical Pastoral Education. John primarily visited Lutheran patients in the local hospitals as well as those living in Senior Citizen Homes. He was on the Planning Committee, which was instrumental in organizing Lutheran Community Care Centre for whom he worked as Lay Chaplain until the end of 1990. Seeing a great need for affordable housing, he was the driving force to organize Lutheran Community Housing Corporation for whom he worked as Property Manager until his retirement.
John was a charter member of Epiphany Lutheran Church and was a member of Lappe Lutheran Church at the time of his death. He was also actively involved with the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM). He had served on the church council at both Lappe and Epiphany congregations and represented them at District and Synodical conventions. He had been District Representative for the Lutheran Church Extension Fund and at the founding convention of Lutheran Church – Canada. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Central District where he served for 12 years, 6 of them as Chairman of the Board. During his lifetime, John devoted a great deal of time and energy in volunteer work for his Lord and for his church. In the year 2000 he was granted the Distinguished Service Award by Concordia University College of Alberta in Edmonton in recognition of his efforts for the church and community.
In his younger years, John enjoyed golf, highlights being golfing at Myrtle Beach, Phoenix and in Finland. Lately he had taken an interest in watching Formula 1 racing and cheering on the two Finnish drivers and standing up to sing the Finnish National Anthem when either Kimi or Valtteri stood on top of the podium.
With Aili, John made trips to the sunny south, across Canada and Finland to connect with family. Lately they travelled to Southern Ontario to visit family and friends and to Western Canada to visit the children and their families.
John will be greatly missed by his loving wife Aili; two daughters, Christine Nojonen (here) and Karen Despres (Dennis) of Edmonton; grandsons Richard Despres (Lyin) of Victoria, B.C. and Andrew Despres (Erin) of Edmonton, Alberta; great grandchildren Marion and Edouard Despres of Victoria. Also surviving are brothers Timo (Susan) and nieces, nephews, as well as several cousins and their families in Finland.
John was predeceased by his mother Rauha; father Matti; stepmother Hilja Luomajarvi-Nojonen; brothers Veli Matti and Reima, as well as sisters Lea, Maija and Ulla (in infancy).
Cremation has taken place with private burial of cremains at Riverside Cemetery. Due to the restrictions of Covid-19, there will be no memorial service at this time. Arrangements are in care of EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.
If friends desire, In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory to Lappe Lutheran Church, Lutheran Community Care Centre chaplaincy program or St. Joseph’s Foundation would be appreciated.
We would like to thank Doctors Noetzel, Lai and Francis for their care over the years and the doctors and nurses at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where John spent his final months. Thanks to Paula and the fine gentlemen from Bayshore, without whom John would not have been able to stay home as long as he did; to Pastor Neil and Rovasti Jari for phone calls and/or visits. Thanks to Kauko and Sinikka for their visits and assistance and a very special thanks to our daughter Chris, who took early retirement to come home to look after her parents.
At John’s Request:
When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile
Just forget if you can that I ever frowned
And remember only my smile.
Forget the unkind word I have spoken
Remember some good I have done
Forget the moments of sorrow
Only remember the moments of fun
Forget that I’ve stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won ere the close of day
Then forget to grieve for my going
I would not have you sad for a day.
-Excerpts from poem by Mrs. Lyman Hancock
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Manu John Johannes Nojonen Sunday May 2nd 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Thunder Bay, Province: Ontario