Allan Erick Pennanen

Obituary, Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal

The children of Allan Erick Pennanen sadly announce the passing of their dad on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 in the St. Joseph's Hospital.

Allan was born on February 17, 1927 and raised in Kaministiquia, where he discovered a love of nature. All of his life, he was an avid outdoorsman, hunter and trapper. He enjoyed time at his trap line into his 80s. Through the years, he worked at Oscar Styffe Ltd and then retired from Northern Wood Preservers.

At 16 years old, he met the love of his life Vaini (Koivisto). Together, they raised their family of six children in Port Arthur. Tragically, their six year old son, David, passed away in 1962. Allan and Vaini were married for 43 years until her passing in 1990.

Later in life, into his 60s, Allan developed a new passion in music. He played guitar, violin and mandolin for the Smokey Island Band and The Hoe Downers. During this time, he forged new friendships with his band maters, especially Cathy - she on the accordion and he on the mandolin - together they made beautiful music.

Allan was a quiet man, but he was most proud of the awards he won at the Oldtime Fiddle Championships in Cotton, Minnesota.

Allan will be sadly missed by his children, Linda (Pentti) Nykanen, Carol (Donald) Werys, Diane Lehtinen, Kenneth (Lynnita- Jo) Pennanen, Katherine (Kelvin) Toivonen, his grandchildren Christine, Sheryl, Ian, Daniel, Derick, Sarah, Kirsti, Kurtis, Kelsey, Erin and Nakita, as well as five great grandchildren.

Allan was also predeceased by his brothers Robert Berglund and Jack Berglund.

A special thank you to Northwest Community Care Access Centre (CCAC); co-ordinator Lynda Roussel, Nurse Practitioner Donald Hutchinson and the team of VON nurses and Home Care support. Also, thank you to St. Joseph's Hospice for the care and support; and thank you to dad's newest friend, Larry.

A celebration of Allan's life will be held at a later date