Edwin, age 86 years, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 after a lengthy illness. Edwin was born in Quibell, Ontario on October 29, 1937 to Eeli and Linne Harkonen. He moved to Port Arthur in the 1950’s and in 1965 he married Pirkko and they would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in May. His favourite jobs were working as a clerk at the Port Arthur Police Station until the amalgamation of Thunder Bay in 1970 and later as a parts clerk with the Woodlands Division of Great Lakes Forest Products in the various bush camps in the Thunder Bay area. In 1974, he graduated from Confederation College with an accounting diploma.
Edwin loved the outdoors. Fishing year-round, snowmobiling, and camping in the summer at area lakes with friends and family were regular past times. Many weekends and summer vacations were also spent at the family camp at Squaw Bay on Lake Superior. He retired in 1990 and enjoyed many years of retirement in good health that included building and enjoying a year-round retirement home for nearly 30 years on the big lake. Travelling was also a favourite lifetime activity including car trips to the US, west coast, and across Ontario and visits to Florida and Finland.
Cars had always held a fascination for Edwin, especially those made by Oldsmobile, of which he owned many over the decades. It was a sad day when it was announced that Oldsmobiles would no longer be manufactured. He always amazed those around him by immediately being able to name the manufacturer and year model of a car simply by glancing at a photo.
Since 2016 he had been on dialysis due to kidney failure and thankfully, he was able to endure long past what was originally estimated. He will be sadly missed by his wife Pirkko, daughter Linda Harkonen, son Harold (Tammy) Harkonen, grandchildren Kira (Jordan), Brady and Niklas Harkonen, and brothers Eric and Elbert. He was predeceased by his mother Linne in 1961, father Eeli in 1975, younger brother Eine in 2008. As per his wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral services. In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Joseph’s Care Group, Northwest Regional Renal Program, Kidney Foundation of Canada, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
WORDS OF THANKS
The family of the late Edwin Harkonen would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Northwest Regional Renal Program for all his care and support for the past seven years. Thank you also to the nurses of 2 North at St. Joseph’s Hospital for his care during the last four weeks. Your kindness to Edwin will always be remembered.
~Pirkko and Family
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
