Mr. Torsti Antero Hauhia of Red Deer, Alberta passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, after a short and courageous battle against cancer, on Friday, November 22, 2024 at the age of 84 years. Torsti was born on February 28, 1940 in Nastola, Finland to Aarne and Aili Hauhia. He was the second oldest of ten siblings (five brothers and four sisters). During World War II, Finland made the decision to send many young children to host families in Sweden for safety. Torsti, at the age of four, along with his older brother, Jussi and his younger brother, Pertti were among those children. As luck would have it, welcoming them was a Swedish family of three sisters who were volunteering as host families. Upon arrival, they arranged it so that the brothers, Torsti, Jussi and Pertti didn’t have to be separated but instead could stay at each of the three sisters and their husband’s homes. Torsti lived with Helge and Britta Karlsson for numerous years. Even though they were the host family, Torsti loved them and thought of them as his second parents, calling them Mamma Britta and Helge Pappa, and they loved him as if he was their own. Mamma Britta and Helge Pappa welcomed a child of their own, Catarina, in 1946. Torsti and Catarina had a very special bond, and they thought of themselves as brother and sister. After the war, Torsti returned to Kotka, Finland for a short period of time, but then returned to Sweden to live with Mamma Britta and Helge Pappa for a few years, later to return to Finland. In Finland, Torsti met his beautiful wife, Pirjo Leskinen in 1963, and they were married November 21, 1964. They welcomed their first child, Marju on March 24, 1965, and later, their son, Marko on August 1, 1966. Torsti worked at the papermill in Kotka, Finland and in 1970, there was an advertisement in the local Finnish newspaper of Canada looking for experienced paper makers to work in a Pulp and Paper Mill in The Pas, Manitoba. On the 17th of January 1971, Torsti and his family made the move to The Pas, Manitoba and he started his job in the paper mill machine room as a back tender. In the early 1970’s, there were over twenty Finnish families who came to The Pas, Manitoba to work at the Pulp and Paper Mill. The Finnish families became close, holding Christmas parties and parties at Rocky Lake in the summer, and building saunas. There were many memorable events and stories from those times. Torsti retired on March 1, 2000, as a Machine Room Supervisor. In 2014, Torsti and Pirjo moved to Red Deer, Alberta. Torsti was an avid golfer, hunter, and fisherman, so much so, that he taught all his four grandsons how to golf, fish and hunt. He loved his family and was proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and was often showing pictures of them. He loved his golf and would spend most of his time in the summer at the golf course, and maybe having the occasional drink or two. Torsti had a great sense of humor. Oh, the stories he could tell. They were always entertaining and made people laugh. He always had a smile for you and was always willing to help others. Torsti will be lovingly remembered by his wife of sixty years, Pirjo, his daughter, Marju Hagborg and his son-in-law, Brian of The Pas, Manitoba, along with their children, Matthew (Robyn) and their children, Lukka and Beckham, of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; Zachary of The Pas, Manitoba; his son, Marko and his daughter-in-law, Charlotte of Rocky Rapids, Alberta, along with their children, Tyrel of Drayton Valley, Alberta and Tanner of Edmonton, Alberta. Torsti will also be sadly missed by his brothers, Jussi, Veijo, Asko, Hannu and his sisters, Marja-Leena, Sirpa, Marjut, Kati and his numerous nephews and nieces. He will also be sadly missed by his sister-in-law, Kaija (Pentti) Aulanto; his Swedish family, Catarina and Jan Thorsby and their children, Peter and Michael and their families; Stacy Anaka (Jason) of Stenen, Saskatchewan and their family; Kerri Patterson (Dustin) of Wawanesa, Manitoba, and all those who knew him. Torsti was predeceased by his parents, Aarne and Aili; Mamma Britta and Helge Pappa and his brother, Pertti. A Celebration of Torsti’s Life will be held in the Spring of 2025. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

• Date : 2024-12-03
• Location : (Red Deer) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com