It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Veikko Seppanen after a brief illness on Friday March 31, 2023. He passed peacefully with family surrounding him at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Veikko was a loving father to Ella and Marko (Anne), a proud and loving pappa to Elisa, Saku, Sean (Holly), Kristen (Raffles) and Kayla and great grandfather to beautiful baby Kaia (Sean and Holly). He is also survived by nieces, nephews and extended family in Finland. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Aila of 57 years, parents, Matti and Hilda Seppanen, and siblings, Alma, Martti, Aili, Helmi, Lyydia, Eino and Erkki.
Veikko was born in Uukuniemi, Finland on July 27, 1933. In search of work, first in Sweden and then Canada, he came to Thunder Bay in 1958 where he met Aila, and they started a life together.
Veikko had a passion for the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing, and spent every opportunity he could to enjoy it. While fishing he would often catch the first, the biggest and the most. He and Aila built a summer camp on One Island Lake only to have it struck by lightning and burn to the ground a few years later. Undeterred they rebuilt, and he enjoyed spending time there particularly fishing off the dock and playing card games.
Pappa was happiest surrounded by his family and he loved spending time with his grandkids, wrestling to exhaustion, taking them to the park and cheering them on in all their endeavours.
We will miss him and remember him with love in our hearts always.
We would like to thank the staff and support workers at Chartwell Hilldale for the companionship, compassion and care they gave Veikko over the past few years.
A family celebration of life will be held with interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Should friends so desire, donations in Veikko’s memory may be made to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre or a charity of choice.
