Obituary for Mr. Ken Niivila
NIIVILA
Mr. Kenneth Olavi Niivila, aged 69 years, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 after a lengthy illness.
He was born in Port Arthur, Ontario on July 23, 1952 to Olavi and Lillian Niivila. Ken was a lifelong resident of Lappe, living his entire life on the Niivila family homestead. He was a true ‘Lappelander”.
Ken was a hard worker and at a young age, he learned from his father how to drive a big truck and operate a sawmill. He first entered the logging industry with his father’s logging business, and then went on to establish his own trucking business of Ken Niivila trucking. Throughout his trucking years he became friends with the trucking community across Northwestern Ontario. His trucking skills also led him to drive snowplow for MTO in the Shebandowan area for several years.
Following his trucking career, he started up Ken’s Firewood in Lappe and operated the business right up until his passing. Ken was very social and could be found at the local restaurant Sweet G’s and many other eateries, both in the city of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
He loved to share his work experiences about being on and off the road, with many of the conversations lasting hours!
He enjoyed visiting with friends and family, including extended family in Dryden, Brandon and Winnipeg but he was most happy spending time with his nieces and nephews.
Survived by brothers, Ernie (Eija) Niivila, Raymond (Judy) Niivila; sister, Lorraine (Rainer) Partanen and aunt, Anita Roper and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and customers.
Predeceased by his parents, Olavi and Lillian Niivila; sister, Lorna (Ahti Tabell and Arvo) Lehvonen and nephew Jussi Tabell.
Funeral services for the late Mr. Ken Niivila will be held on Friday, July 8, 2022 at 11:00 am in Lappe Lutheran Church with the Rev. Neil Otke officiating. Interment will follow in Lappe Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to Diabetes Canada or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
Mr. Kenneth Olavi Niivila, aged 69 years, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 after a lengthy illness.
He was born in Port Arthur, Ontario on July 23, 1952 to Olavi and Lillian Niivila. Ken was a lifelong resident of Lappe, living his entire life on the Niivila family homestead. He was a true ‘Lappelander”.
Ken was a hard worker and at a young age, he learned from his father how to drive a big truck and operate a sawmill. He first entered the logging industry with his father’s logging business, and then went on to establish his own trucking business of Ken Niivila trucking. Throughout his trucking years he became friends with the trucking community across Northwestern Ontario. His trucking skills also led him to drive snowplow for MTO in the Shebandowan area for several years.
Following his trucking career, he started up Ken’s Firewood in Lappe and operated the business right up until his passing. Ken was very social and could be found at the local restaurant Sweet G’s and many other eateries, both in the city of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
He loved to share his work experiences about being on and off the road, with many of the conversations lasting hours!
He enjoyed visiting with friends and family, including extended family in Dryden, Brandon and Winnipeg but he was most happy spending time with his nieces and nephews.
Survived by brothers, Ernie (Eija) Niivila, Raymond (Judy) Niivila; sister, Lorraine (Rainer) Partanen and aunt, Anita Roper and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and customers.
Predeceased by his parents, Olavi and Lillian Niivila; sister, Lorna (Ahti Tabell and Arvo) Lehvonen and nephew Jussi Tabell.
Funeral services for the late Mr. Ken Niivila will be held on Friday, July 8, 2022 at 11:00 am in Lappe Lutheran Church with the Rev. Neil Otke officiating. Interment will follow in Lappe Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to Diabetes Canada or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com