Toivo Ensio Mäkelä, 91 years
Rakas Puoliso, Veli, Isä ja Pappa.
It is with heavy hearts that our family announces the passing of Toivo on Nov 26, 2021.
Born in Halsua,Finland to Teemu and Olga Maria(Järvelä), a loving brother to Raili
(predeceased), (Pentti Santalo), Regina, Raakeli Enfors , Reijo Särkioja (predeceased).
Devoted husband of 60 years to Laura (Peiponen) and adored father to Taina (Doug Bain), Maria (Carl Laamanen), Leena (predeceased) (Sakari Enbuske). Cherished Pappa of Markku and John Laamanen. Missed by friends and relatives in Finland, Sweden and Canada. Despite many hardships in his early life and no knowledge of English, Toivo persevered with Finnish Sisu, emigrating to Canada in 1957 seeking a better life. Returning to Finland in 1960, he met and married the love of his life, Laura. After Taina was born, the family emigrated to Canada, first living in Timmins where Maria and Leena were born, then settling in Sudbury. Isä worked in logging, mining and construction. He was our master craftsman, building and renovating homes, saunas, also crafting kanteles, cabinetry and furniture. Honesty, hard work and humility, framed the values in his life. He was a man of quiet faith, attending St. Matthew’s (New Hope Lutheran). Toivo was fiercely proud of his Finnish heritage, as he was of his children`s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. He built his dream home in Sudbury, and to Toivo, home and family were everything. An avid fisherman, he spent countless hours fishing at camp and spending time in nature with Laura. He enjoyed athletics, gardening, reading and music. He was a self-taught accordionist. He especially enjoyed the company of his fur babies Elizabeth and Karhu. We were blessed to have had Toivo in our lives and will remember him forever. Rakas Isä, me kiitamme kaikesta. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Sudbury / local food bank in Toivo’s memory. Funeral Service in the R.J. Barnard Chapel at the Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home, 233 Larch St., Sudbury on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 10:30am. (Friends may gather after 9:30am Saturday. Facemasks and social distancing are mandatory). Interment in the Beaver Lake Cemetery. For those who wish to view the service online:
view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1638146562150694
For donations or messages of condolence, www.lougheedfuneralhomes.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Toivo Ensio Makela Makela Friday November 26th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Sudbury, Province: Ontario