Lauri Edward Maki

September 12th on 2024 Lauri Edward Maki passed from the Earthly to the Celestial Realm in his 95th year. Lauri was born on January 22, 1930 in South Gillies (Thunder Bay) to Impi Alisa (Tissari) and Kristian Jousmaki.

Lauri was predeceased by his parents Kristian 1986, Impi Alisa 2006, his only sibling Edwin 2011, his wife Francine Morrissette 2010 and his dear cousin Nora Robertson 2009.

He is survived by his 3 children with ex-wife Sheila Maki. Sandra Foster (David), Ron Maki (Fatim Jetha) and Cathie Logan (Scott) as well as 8 grandchildren, Eric Foster (Andrea Hitchman), Lauren Foster (Peter Kuling), Lyndsey McNally, Kevin Foster (Danielle Kendall), Nadia Maki, Ali-Zamaan Maki, Sarah Logan (Francois Lecavalier) and Janna Logan (Michael Filipowicz). His great grandchildren, Lucas McNally, Aiden Foster, Xavier Kuling, Westley Kuling, Isla Logan Lecavalier and Sophia Logan Lecavalier.

Also, cousins in Hamilton, Mississauga, Winnipeg and London, Paul Gallina, Barb Gallina, Susan Secen, Sandra Gallina, and Donna Sentjens and their families, as well nieces and nephews, Lorraine, Barbara, Russell and Brian (Maki) in Thunder Bay and numerous relatives in Soini, Finland.

At the age of 14, Lauri left home and lived in Fort William to attend Secondary school because there was no school bus transportation at the time. He and his school chum lived in a small attic room, caring for themselves, cooking their own meals on an electric hot plate while attending secondary school. After graduating, he went to North Bay Teacher’s College (Normal School).

Lauri started his teaching career at the age of 20 in a two-room school in his small home community teaching the older students and serving as the principal on the school. After 2 years, he moved to Thunder Bay where he taught special education and industrial arts, before being asked to serve as the principal of Franklin Street Public School, then Francis Street Public School (both now closed and demolished).

During his summers he attended Queens University where he earned Bachelor of Arts and the Ontario Institute of Education/University of Toronto’s degree.

At the age of 30, he was appointed by the Ministry of Education as Inspector of Public Schools in Dryden and Sioux Lookout, and surrounding areas.

In the 1967, Year of Canada’s Centennial Celebrations in Montreal, the Maki family moved to London UK where Lauri spent a year on sabbatical leave at the London Institute of Education studying the social, political, economic and religious determinants of education. He visited many schools in England, Wales and Scotland. Everyone enjoyed that year in new surroundings, including the road trips, exploring many European cities and countries.

Returning home, Lauri joined the head office of the Ministry of Education curriculum, legislation finance, retiring in 1986 as the Director of Regional Services.

Since his retirement, he has been a real estate broker and travelled with his wife Francine, to many parts of the world including Egypt, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Argentina, Venezuela, India, Vietnam, etc. He continued on the path of self improvement to the creation of a new and better world.

A memorial service will be held at York Cemetery and Funeral Centre, 160 Beecroft Road, Toronto at 11:00 am on Saturday September 21, 2024.