Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Nouveau-Brunswick for funeral details
It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the sudden and
unexpected death of Markku Simeon Erkvaara, 74, of Moncton, on Sunday
August 20, 2023 at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont UHC, after a brief
illness from which he had seemed to be recovering. Born in Turku,
Finland, he was the son of the late Salomon and Helmi (Susi) Erkvaara,
proud Finnish Karelians who had been displaced during the Winter War
from their ancestral homeland at Metsäpirtti, on the shores
of Lake Laatokka (Salomon served for five years on the front lines of
the conflict).
Between Turku and Moncton, Markku saw so much of the world.
He grew up on a farm in Lokalahti, completed his military service with
pride, training as an aircraft mechanic. This led him into a career
with Finnair, which kick-started his world traveling, eventually
bringing him to Edmonton, Alberta, where he married and started his
family, was active with the Finnish Society, and played competitive
soccer and hockey until a knee injury forced him to put those passions
aside. He retrained as a steel fabricator and pipe fitter, moving from
Edmonton to Uusikaupunki, then to Ottawa and Cornwall, where he
eventually retired from Domtar, having worked as a foreman and a
health and safety supervisor for many years. In retirement, he moved
to Moncton so he could be closer to his adult children. He put his
supervisory skills to good use in his new community, working part-time
as Team Lead for the non-profit, Moncton Headstart
Recycles.
He was a devoted father who was always there for his family,
through many challenges, with a quiet but steady presence and with
words of advice and encouragement. When he fully retired, he devoted
himself to his new role as a grandfather. “Pappa” always had
time for his girls. We will remember him for his dry sense of humor
and questionable card-counting skills.
He is survived by his three children: Greg (Shannon) in
Halifax, Mellanie (Jeff) in New Albany, and Stephanie (Chris) in
Moncton; grandchildren: Skyler, Piper, Harper, Beanie, Suvi, and
Sanna, as well as Katie, Jeffrey, and Sam; his sister, Sirpa (Markku),
along with his niece and nephew, Päivi and Timo, in
Uusikaupunki.
According to Markku’s wishes, there will be no ceremony, but
there will be lots of love and memories shared as his kids and
grandkids spend time together in his honour. In memory of Markku, we
welcome any stories, pictures, and other memories you could share with
his children and grandchildren, who still had so much to learn from
him. Memorial donations can be made to a local charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are in the professional care of Frenette Funeral
and Cremation Centre, Moncton, New Brunswick
(506-858-1900).
Words of comfort may be shared at
www.frenettefuneralhome.com
1949 2023
Death notice for the town of: Moncton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick
death notice Markku S Erkvaara 1949 2023
obituaries notice Markku S Erkvaara 1949 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Markku S Erkvaara 1949 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
