Mauri Olavi Oskari Tujunen

Mauri was born in Finland on May 17 1931. Son to Oskari and Martta Tujunen. His parents worked for a government farm as farmhands and lived in a small one bedroom house that was located on the land. As a young boy, his father was conscripted and sent away to the war. Leaving his mother and himself to continue as farmhands for their living. Whether it was gleaning the grain from the crops with his schoolmates so the teacher could prepare porridge for the children or peeling the potatoes for the evening meal for his mom, it was then that his hard working ethics began. Mauri was always known to be a diligent,hardworking man.

At the young age of 22 Mauri made the long journey by ship to Thunder Bay Ontario. There were many challenges one being the language barrier. It wasn’t long before he was employed in the logging camps where he worked hard and earned enough money that he could take back home and help his parents. On one of these trips home he asked his mother what was one thing that she would like to have. She said she had always wanted a fur coat. So without hesitation he purchased the fur coat for his mother who proudly wore it in the cold Finland winters. Mauri’s parents mode of transportation was always by bicycle until Mauri purchased their first car for them. Being able to care for his parents in their older years brought him much joy as he truly had a generous heart. It was Mauri’s mom, who now was one of Jehovah Witnesses that gave him his first bible. Back in Thunder Bay while sick in bed with fever for days, he decided to start reading his new bible. Soon after recuperating he started to study the Bible and soon gained an appreciation for what he had learned and dedicated his life to Jehovah and was baptized March 26 1960. He enjoyed 58 years of faithful service and his love for Jehovah was always put first throughout his lifetime. At the age of 30 he came out west where he was hired by one of his spiritual brothers who taught him the trade of laminate countertops and eventually the art of cabinet making. He continued in this career for all of his working years. It was in 1979 in Vancouver that he met and married Edna. Never having had a family of his own he became a father and a grandfather at the age of 48. He embraced his new life and had 39 years of being a loyal and loving companion to Edna and a sweet stepdad and gramps to all of his family that he inherited. Mauri loved to dance and always found opportunities to sway his sweetheart around the dance floor. “ You light up my life “ was always their favourite ❤️❤️. Picnics and especially breakfast in the outdoors was one of the things Mauri enjoyed. He also loved to garden and enjoyed the summer fresh produce. Fishing in the summer or winter on the ice was a sport he enjoyed. We all remember the smell of cooking fish heads and gramps eating what he called a delicacy, the fish eyes!! Mauri also loved getting together with family and friends for games and cards. Crib was his game of choice. It was during one of his last games played with his good friend who had to confess to Mauri that he always knew by that twinkle he would have in his eyes when he had a good hand of cards. So then he knew he had to play safe. Mauri laughed and responded “next time I’ll have to wear sunglasses”. He always loved a good laugh and had a great sense of humour. Mauri lived a good life and we were all blessed to have him with us. One of his greatest joys in life was to share his faith with others and talk about Gods promise of life everlasting in a paradise earth. He will always be remembered for his strong faith and loyalty by those that knew and loved him. We are comforted to know that Mauri will soon be welcomed back to life in paradise with all his youth and vitality. Until that time,he will be greatly missed but he remains safe in Jehovah’s memory.