In loving memory of Leo Kiima, 95 years who passed away peacefully on Friday, December 9, 2022, at Extendicare York, Sudbury. Beloved husband of 61 years to Seija Kiima (nee Makkonen). Loving father of Urmas (Sheila), Paivi and John (Pernellia). Cherished Grandpa of Lindsay, Bryce (Megan), Oliver, and great-grandchildren Allie, Daniel, and Oscar. Dear son of Johan and Elfriede Kiima both predeceased. Dear brother of Agnessa and Elmar both predeceased. Leo was born on April 25, 1927, in Naissaar, Estonia. His family moved to Janeda in 1934 where his father had bought a farm just before his retirement from military services. The same fall Leo began his elementary education in the local elementary and junior high school. In 1941 he entered Janeda Agricultural High School which he was not able to finish because the school closed in February 1944 due to the mobilisation of most of the students into the armed forces. He worked at home until he was mobilised in August of 1944. He was assigned to a mobile AA battery for training in Northeast, Estonia. In September 1944 he retreated to Latvia and from there to Germany. He became POW at the first days of May 1945 and was released from POW camp in Spring 1946 where he worked in a Wesfaliah farm for a year. Leo went to England in 1947, stayed in Selby Yorkshire where he did farm and factory work. He immigrated to Canada in 1951, stayed in Port Arthur and worked for a year for Great Lakes Paper as a lumberjack in the Black Sturgeon area. He then began to work for Marathon Corporation first in Stevens then in Hillsport, at the same time studying drafting through the Canadian Institute of Science and Technology from where he received a diploma in 1957 and the same year he started to work as a draftsman with MacIntosh and Associate Architects in Fort William. He came to Sudbury where he started to work for Fabbro and JJTT Townend Architects. When the firm dissolved, he worked for Harold Saville Architect and then joined Townend Stefura Architects from where he retired in 1991 but worked two more years as a self employee. He visited his homeland in 1994 after 50 years of absence and his Island of birth after 60 years of absence. He was a member of the Sudbury Estonian Congregation, Sudbury Estonian Association, and the Air Force Boys Club.
In lieu of flowers donations to the CNIB or Northern Cancer Foundation would be appreciated.
Resting at the Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home, 233 Larch Street, Sudbury. (Friends may call after 2pm Monday, December 19, 2022)
Funeral Service in the R.J. Barnard Chapel, Monday, December 19th, 2022 at 3PM. Cremation with interment in Estonia. The service may be viewed online at: view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY3MDcyMzgwMjIyNDAwNSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Leo Kiima Friday December 9th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Sudbury, Province: Ontario