Reverend Erkki Olavi Ahonen

Beloved husband, father and friend Reverend Erkki Ahonen passed away surrounded by his family on March 6, 2021. He is survived by his loving wife Taimi and daughters Sari (Sean) and Susanna as well as siblings Eila, Veikko, Heikki, Pekka, Lauri, Hannu, and extended family in Finland.

Erkki was born in Kotka, Finland on October 20, 1940 to Rev. Eino and Mrs. Toini Ahonen. He was raised in a very close and loving family but as the eldest son in a family of eight children he also learned great responsibility from a young age. This sense of responsibility and dedication to his family and to his work remained with him throughout his life.

Erkki graduated with a business degree in Finland but soon received a calling to the ministry. As a young man he toured over 130 congregations in Finland, preaching and singing as a member of gospel trio and quartet groups. He later pastored the congregation in Jyväskylä, Finland.

Erkki married the love of his life, Taimi Ripatti in 1965 and together they shared over 55 very happy years together. Over the course of her career in Finland and Canada, Taimi worked as a nurse and as an administrator in long term care.

Erkki’s life’s ministry with the Finnish community in North America began when he was called to pastor the Finnish Bethel Church in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1968. He led the congregation here from 1968-1971 and again from 1972-1986. So many joined the congregation over these years that a larger church building was required.

The new church building at 1920 Argyle Drive in Vancouver was named “Kotikirkko” (“Home church”) and was built primarily through volunteer labour. Erkki took on the responsibility of obtaining all building materials and building permits for this major construction project on behalf of the congregation, and also laboured on the building site. One day, a visiting official asked a workman pushing a wheelbarrow to direct him to the Church’s minister, and was very surprised to learn that the ‘workman’ with whom he spoke was none other than the minister himself!

In addition to his lengthy ministry in Vancouver, Erkki pastored churches in Turku, Finland (1971-1972) and Thunder Bay (1996-1997), and was called to preach as a guest speaker in congregations throughout Finland and North America. From 1989-1994, Erkki pastored the church at Lake Worth, Florida. The congregation grew substantially during this time and a new church building was purchased. The church was known for its vibrant music program and message, and attracted visiting Finnish tourists and the local Finnish community alike.

Erkki also served as the director of the Christian college at Lehijärvi, Finland, from 1986-1987. Over the course of his ministry he also served in the role of superintendent of the Finnish North American church community for over seven years.

Prior to his retirement, Erkki served as the editor of the Todistaja publication of the Finnish churches in North America from 1994 through 2006.

Erkki related readily to people from many different walks of life and easily struck up conversation wherever he went. He was a skilled communicator with a great sense of humour. He was an avid reader and also enjoyed painting and gardening in his retirement years. In his family, he was a wonderfully loving and supportive husband and father.

As a pastor, Erkki was a trusted advisor and was known for his positive and encouraging message. He was a pillar of the church community and will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched in over 50 years of ministry.

A private family service will be held on March 20, 2021, in keeping with pandemic restrictions. A memorial concert will be planned for later in the year, as restrictions permit.

Erkki was a gifted solo tenorist and music was central to his life and his ministry. Erkki also composed songs. The best known, the “Kanjonilaulu” (“Canyon Song”) was born on a trip while travelling down a lonely canyon road. Journeying through that canyon, he saw a small cemetery by the side of the road with fading flowers that had recently been laid there. The sight of those small fading flowers within the vastness of the canyon left a powerful impression on him. The Canyon Song speaks of how small we are as travellers through this canyon of life; yet how vast is the goodness of God and His love toward us.

Ja tiellä kanjonin, sen nyt täysin ymmärsin

En luottaa voi ma maallisiin en ajan aarteisiin

Vain usko Jumalaan avaa portit uuden maan

Sen hengen silmin nyt jo nähdä saan

On Jumala niin suuri rakkautensa valtavin

Ja ihminen niin pieni vaeltaja kanjonin

Ei yksikään voi luetella töitä Jumalan

Ne täyttää koko maailman ja myöskin taivahan.

- Kanjonilaulu

Flowers for the graveside may be directed to Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby, BC, by 2:00 pm on Friday, March 19, 2021. If preferred, donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Mission Press Society (Todistaja).