Obituary for Mr. Finn Andersen
It is with great sadness that the family of Finn Andersen, aged 83 years, of Thunder Bay (formerly of Pass Lake), announce his peaceful passing on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Finn was born in Glenstrup, Denmark on December 31, 1939 to Kai and Nanna Andersen. In 1957, Finn immigrated to Canada with his parents and 7 siblings, where they resided in rural Manitoba for several years before moving to Red Lake, Ontario. Finn held a variety of jobs before becoming employed at Campbell Gold Mines in Red Lake.
In 1966, he married Lesley Thompson and they resided in Balmertown, Ontario. The couple welcomed their daughter Kirsten in 1972, and the family moved to Thunder Bay in 1973 where their son Christopher was born.
Finn built his family a beautiful home in Pass Lake and was employed as a carpenter with Provincial Papers until his retirement in 1994. Despite being “officially retired” Finn was busier than ever. His exceptional carpentry skills were in high demand. He built several houses, camps, saunas, cupboards and furniture items in the area.
In 1990 his son, Chris, was tragically killed in a car accident, and his wife, Lesley, passed the following year after succumbing to cancer.
In 1999 he was remarried to Donna Hardy and moved to her home on Lakeshore Drive in Shuniah. Following Donna’s death in 2018, Finn moved to Chartwell Retirement Residence, where he lived until his passing.
He made many friends at Chartwell, among both the residents and staff. Always the gardener, he would start seeds in plastic cups in his suite, and transplant them into the garden beds outside once it was warm enough. He delighted the residents with his rhubarb pie and Danish Rice Pudding making skills, as well as holding fish fries after spending the weekend at camp fishing with his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters.
Finn was the epitome of a true gentleman. He possessed a warm heart, gentle demeanour, and a genuine interest in the well-being of those around him.
Despite his increasing mobility issues due to Parkinson’s Disease, Finn took every opportunity to spend time at his camp on Black Bay in Pass Lake, and get out fishing as much as possible. If you ever went fishing with Finn, you’ll know he took it seriously!
Finn is survived by his daughter, Kirsten (Ken) Maki and granddaughters Annika and Heidi Maki, whom he was immensely proud of; brothers, Leo (Linda) Andersen, John (Shirley) Andersen, and Lars (Dawn) Andersen; sisters, Jette Andersen and Lene (Ghislain) Lavoie. He is also survived by Donna’s children and grandchildren, Peter Hardy and Cathleen (Kyle) Dolcetti, Jayme & Matthew Armstrong, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives in Canada and Denmark.
Finn was predeceased by his parents, first wife, Lesley; son, Chris; and second wife, Donna; as well as his sister Lis Darechuk and brother Paul Andersen.
A heartfelt thank you to the Doctors and Nurses on the hospice unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital. You are special people.
To the staff at Chartwell Retirement Residence on Arundel St. in Thunder Bay. Dad moved in there during a difficult period in his life and immediately felt welcome and quickly made friends. Thank you for taking such good care of him.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 2, 2023 in PASS LAKE COMMUNITY HALL - Pass Lake East Road - with Rev. Ed Long presiding. A private interment will follow in Pass Lake Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Finn’s memory can be made to Salem Lutheran Church. E-transfers can be sent to salemchurch125@gmail.com.
Please sign the online condolences at www.everestofthunderbay.com
Finn was born in Glenstrup, Denmark on December 31, 1939 to Kai and Nanna Andersen. In 1957, Finn immigrated to Canada with his parents and 7 siblings, where they resided in rural Manitoba for several years before moving to Red Lake, Ontario. Finn held a variety of jobs before becoming employed at Campbell Gold Mines in Red Lake.
In 1966, he married Lesley Thompson and they resided in Balmertown, Ontario. The couple welcomed their daughter Kirsten in 1972, and the family moved to Thunder Bay in 1973 where their son Christopher was born.
Finn built his family a beautiful home in Pass Lake and was employed as a carpenter with Provincial Papers until his retirement in 1994. Despite being “officially retired” Finn was busier than ever. His exceptional carpentry skills were in high demand. He built several houses, camps, saunas, cupboards and furniture items in the area.
In 1990 his son, Chris, was tragically killed in a car accident, and his wife, Lesley, passed the following year after succumbing to cancer.
In 1999 he was remarried to Donna Hardy and moved to her home on Lakeshore Drive in Shuniah. Following Donna’s death in 2018, Finn moved to Chartwell Retirement Residence, where he lived until his passing.
He made many friends at Chartwell, among both the residents and staff. Always the gardener, he would start seeds in plastic cups in his suite, and transplant them into the garden beds outside once it was warm enough. He delighted the residents with his rhubarb pie and Danish Rice Pudding making skills, as well as holding fish fries after spending the weekend at camp fishing with his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters.
Finn was the epitome of a true gentleman. He possessed a warm heart, gentle demeanour, and a genuine interest in the well-being of those around him.
Despite his increasing mobility issues due to Parkinson’s Disease, Finn took every opportunity to spend time at his camp on Black Bay in Pass Lake, and get out fishing as much as possible. If you ever went fishing with Finn, you’ll know he took it seriously!
Finn is survived by his daughter, Kirsten (Ken) Maki and granddaughters Annika and Heidi Maki, whom he was immensely proud of; brothers, Leo (Linda) Andersen, John (Shirley) Andersen, and Lars (Dawn) Andersen; sisters, Jette Andersen and Lene (Ghislain) Lavoie. He is also survived by Donna’s children and grandchildren, Peter Hardy and Cathleen (Kyle) Dolcetti, Jayme & Matthew Armstrong, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives in Canada and Denmark.
Finn was predeceased by his parents, first wife, Lesley; son, Chris; and second wife, Donna; as well as his sister Lis Darechuk and brother Paul Andersen.
A heartfelt thank you to the Doctors and Nurses on the hospice unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital. You are special people.
To the staff at Chartwell Retirement Residence on Arundel St. in Thunder Bay. Dad moved in there during a difficult period in his life and immediately felt welcome and quickly made friends. Thank you for taking such good care of him.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 2, 2023 in PASS LAKE COMMUNITY HALL - Pass Lake East Road - with Rev. Ed Long presiding. A private interment will follow in Pass Lake Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Finn’s memory can be made to Salem Lutheran Church. E-transfers can be sent to salemchurch125@gmail.com.
Please sign the online condolences at www.everestofthunderbay.com