This is Jukka. Husband, Dad & Grandfather.
Over the past week my Mom, Mirjam; my Sister, Saara; and Brother, Don-Kaarlo (aka Poika), along with all of you have paid tribute with us, through various medium, to this wonderful human man.
He was a complex soul who loved fiercely, believed without waver and was stubborn beyond measure. He was usually right but if he wasn’t, there had to be hard facts to prove otherwise, lol.
In the end he struggled with a disease, Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body, that stripped him of most of his personality and ability to function on his own. You could see it take away his memory bit by bit and his frustration with not being able to be understood was palpable.
Along with that went his ability to speak and for a talker… this I believe was the worst. Our Dad had been so articulate. He was proud of having won the Spelling Bee after just having moved to Canada, not being able to speak English yet.
He was born March 21, 1942 (1st day of spring) during WWII, in Finland. Moved to Canada in 1955, and when he received his citizenship in 1964, was proud to be a Canadian.
He could have been anything with an IQ high enough to be accepted into MENSA. But instead, because of life circumstances, he proudly became a Painter and Decorator and member of Department 35 Labour, planning to work with his Dad. Unfortunately, his dad passed and life took another turn.
He then worked in numerous jobs including one with Design Craft in Toronto, where he was able to work in places like ROM and the CNE. He applied his trade in both Canada and Finland over the next few years. Then we kids came along, making his life that much fuller.😏
It was a few years after Saara was born that we moved to Lacombe, Alberta where my Dad completely changed direction and became a Pastor in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He worked both in Ontario and in numerous churches around Finland.
Returning to Canada in 1993, he retired from Ministering. He then continued to keep busy in varying jobs until totally stopping in 2016 when it was obvious his health and memory were starting to fail.
My Dad loved his family and they loved him. He would go the extra mile for any of them if he could, being Taxi driver for some, Dog walker, Grocery “boy”, etc. His gruff exterior, sarcastic humour and mischievous grin always warring with the soft heart he tried to hide.
Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body robbed him of the enjoyment the final years of his life should have brought him. The battle was difficult and long, with the final year being the hardest.
He was not taken by those beasts, however, but by an old enemy, His physical Heart.
He will be missed by his wife of 60 years, Mirjam; His children Jaana, Don-Kaarlo (Sandra), Saara (Henri); and 10 Grandchildren, Tanner, Cattrina, Davin, Timothy, Jarrod, Alexandria, Sara-Ann, Shayne, Savannah & Hunter. He will also be missed by his only surviving sibling, Taina Wilson. He was predeceased by 4 months by his older brother, Kalevi Palosaari. He will also be missed by his extended family and friends around the world.
Isi, you will be missed more than you ever thought possible. The statement “ Nobody tells me anything!” And your voice calling for “Mirjam! Äiti! Mummi!”, depending on the situation, still echo quietly in the corners of the house if you listen closely.
We love you Isi. Until we meet again.♥️
Maija Frantel says
Jukka,almost the same age as I,was a great friend.he was an individual,knew a lot and was fun.We used hum together,he, Mirjam ,Eero and I.Jukka and I once won a dancing competition.
I remember those days well,the times in Sudbury etc.Mirjam was a great girl too, true to him at some time stubborn husband.She stood by through thick and thin. We were young then,now we are old and Eero,his friend passed away a day after Jukka.
Our lives took us apart,Jukka and family went to Finland.
I have many good memories of our time together and I will miss him.Bless his soul.
Zoltan Ladi Jr says
It is with a heavy heart that I write this in honour of my former Father-Law. Jukka Palossari. Although we may have had our ups and downs, You always had my respect. Jukka was a Gentleman with an immense heart. An immense love for his Family, His Wife Miriam, His Children Jaana, Don, and Saara. He cherished and loved all his grandchildren with such a love that no one on earth could ever shake. My condolences to the Palossari family, Kalio Family and the Wilson family.
Jukka my you rest peacefully in Gods loving hands wrapped in his arms till his return.
You’re former Son-in Law
Zoltan Ladi Jr.
May we meet again.
Heather (Richmond) Binney says
My heart goes out to you all .In my prayers and thoughts The Lord has another angel with him now who will watch over all of you till you are together again.
Herb Kenny says
Condolences to the family. I only had the pleasure of meeting him once but loved the smile he always had. May he now rest in peace.
Dr Ernest LeVos says
I write this after the passing of Jukka. I read his obituary in the March 2024 issue of the Canadian Adventist Messenger. Once again Janna, my family and I offer our deepest sympathies for the passing of your Dad. We were neighbors while living in the so called Tin Shacks in 1978! It was a privilege to have Jukka as a student (a very good one who made meaningful contributions in class) in my course in European History., Jukka referred to me as the young teacher. We crossed paths again the the 1990’s at the Edmonton South SDA Church. What a blessing to have had his friendship. RIP Jukka until the LifeGiver returns.
Gary Simpson says
When Jukka and I were in college, we worked in the same department. The work was usually not intellectually difficult, so there was a lot of time to visit with anybody who was also working. Over the years that Jukka and I were in college, we spent hundreds of hours working together.
In the numerous jobs I’ve had, I’ve worked with people who the more I worked with them the less respect I had for them. With Jukka, I started off not sure how to view him. The more I worked with Jukka, the more I got to know him, the more I appreciated and respected Jukka.
I appreciated Jukka’s knowledge of history.
At times, it felt like I was working with a walking encyclopedia. Jukka and I were both fairly opinionated, so there were times in the first year, when discussions got heated.
I liked the fact that Jukka had real life experience, and business experience. There were times when his support was appreciated. I recall a time when a person was mad at me and started taking me to task. I explained my actions. Jukka listened for a few minutes and then gave me a powerful defense. After the person left, he turned to me and said, “I would not have done that.” I think he may have explained why. That was a level of work ethics that impressed me.
After Jukka graduated, I lost track of him. A number of times in the last ten years, I tried to locate Jukka. I was hoping I could see how he was doing and what he was doing. What I really wanted was to get caught up over coffee or lunch.
Sadly, yesterday, I learned he passed away.
I don’t think I will ever forget Jukka – his love of history, his sarcasm, and his sense of humor.
My heart is with those who are grieving – family, friends, and colleagues, and former classmates.