Kari Ilmari Kaasalainen age 76 of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully at home on February 16, with family by his side.
Born on July 30, 1947 in Nokia Finland. Kari moved to Canada in 1965. He found himself in Sarnia, Ontario where he worked his way down the east coast, working various construction and siding jobs.
In 1973 he returned home to Finland to work a year in the Finnish army. When he returned to Canada, he situated himself in Thunder Bay and called it home. He met his life partner Alice in 1977 and made a happy life and home for them both and her children.
Kari provided for his family as a hardworking bush worker all the way up until his retirement with Raymond Kangas. Kari was a strong, hardworking, stubborn SISU. Often mistaken for a quiet, hard man, but those who truly knew him knew how truly loving, kind, and sensitive he was and that he had a great sense of humour.
Kari was predeceased by his parents Vaino and Emilia Kaasalainen, his life partner of 41 years Alice Moar, and his two older brothers in Finland.
Kari will be lovingly remembered and cherished most by his best buddy and great granddaughter Nayvie Pekki. They shared a special bond, witnessed by everyone that knew them. Also left to cherish and mourn Grandpa Kari’s memories are Sulo, Nicole, Nyla and Nicholas Pekki. His sisters Kaija Kemppainen and Raija Mikola of Finland. Numerous family and friends. His stepdaughter Susan Moar will greatly miss her visits and chats with Kari as well as the children and grandchildren of the late Alice Moar.
Cremation has taken place, and a private interment will take place at a later date. A casual drop-in memorial service will take place on Thursday, February 29 from 1:00 - 3:00pm at 150 Castlegreen Drive.
