Jack (Jaakko) Matias Kosola

The family of the late Jack (Jaakko) Matias Kosola is sad to announce that our father, age 86 of Atikokan, was called home to the Lord on January 7, 2016 from the Atikokan General Hospital. He is now in eternal rest in the Lord along with our mother Elsa and brother Tim.

Jack was born March 10, 1929 in Alaharma, Finland. He was the second of four children and was raised and educated in Finland. He served in the Finnish army as sergeant/lead gunner in 1949. He married Elsa Lindstrom on April 29, 1950 and the family immigrated to Canada with their three children in 1957. A fourth child was born in Atikokan. Jack enjoyed 65 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Elsa.

Jack worked in a sulphuric acid plant in Finland and upon arriving in Canada, he worked at the Sapawe sawmill and at Canadian Charleson mine. His dream job, however, was with the Ministry of Natural Resources as a carpenter and technician for Quetico Provincial Park for 22 years. The family lived at the Nym Lake MNR airbase and loved the park life. He flew across Quetico from one side to the other, doing maintenance at the various park stations and setting up camp for firefighters.

Jack was a disciplined person who centred his life around physical fitness. In Finland he was involved in track and field, gymnastics, soccer and cross-country skiing. In Atikokan he taught boys soccer and was often seen jogging from Nym Lake to Atikokan and back, outrunning firefighters-in-training who were 20 years younger! Winter was his favourite season of the year, cross-country skiing around Nym Lake many times. He participated in a five and a half day, 148 km. skiing trip in Atikokan in company of three friends. Another time a larger group of men skied across Quetico Park to Ely, Minn. He also joined in the Sibley Ski Tour (Thunder Bay) a number of times. He loved to watch hockey especially when Finland played against Canada! Jack was also an avid fisherman and hunter and looked forward to bringing home a moose every fall. He and Elsa spent many summers canoeing and camping in Quetico Park. He professionally framed all of Elsa’s beautiful artwork.

Jack was a longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church where he served on council, the building committee, was a member of the choir and the men’s bible study group. He built new church furnishings such as the altar, pulpit, lecturn and cross. He was a proud member of the NDP party and Ducks Unlimited.

The enduring memories that we have is how family meant everything to dad. He spent quality time with his children and grandchildren. We remember how he spent time playing soccer with Tim and watching his hockey games. He took us swimming, camping, berry picking, to the movies, was interested in our schoolwork and attended all parent/teacher meetings. He had such a sense of humour but always demanded respect from his children.

Jack will be dearly missed by his daughters Raija Simmons (Aaron), Maria Harden (Neil) and Ilona McEachern (Brad); grandchildren Jack Harden Jr., Alex and Eric Kowalyk; great grandchildren Logan Woll and Nevaeh Vermette, as well as his brother Esko Kosola (Greta) and sister Tarja Rantala (Pentti) both of Finland. Numerous nephews, nieces and other relatives also survive.

Jack was predeceased by his beloved wife Elsa in 2015, son Timo in 2014; parents Kustaa and Amalia Kosola and brother Eino Kosola in Finland.

A memorial service in celebration of his life will take place at the Faith Lutheran Church, 418 O'Brien Street, Atikokan, Ontario on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 1:00 pm. Pastor Keith Blom will officiate followed by interment of ashes at the Little Falls Cemetery.

If friends so desire, a donation in Jack’s memory may be made to the Atikokan General Hospital Foundation or Faith Lutheran Church Memorial Fund in care of Green Funeral Home, Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3M8

On-line condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.