Viking Farewell

Final Farewell
Erkki would have loved his final farewell. My brother Ian, with the help of Erkki's son Markus, carved a Viking ship and filled it with a few items to keep Erkki happy in the next world. We launched it into the lake then set it ablaze - at the foot of Silver Birch Ave. in the Beaches area of Toronto.

A Fitting Tribute!

Thanks to all of you who helped make the evening such a success. We all so appreciated giving and receiving what seemed like a million hugs.

A big thank you to Markus Pukonen and Christopher Yapp for putting together the wonderful slide show.

Yesterday we said goodbye to Erkki by releasing a Viking ship into Lake Ontario. Some of you might have noticed the ship on the table when you signed the guest book on Thursday night. Details and pictures will be posted on the blog in a day or two.

Video From Erkki's Celebration of Life by Christopher Yapp

Erkki Pukonen; A Celebration of Life from Christopher Yapp on Vimeo. Interested in a copy of the slides? Please ask Tachy for a copy by adding your comment to this post. Well done Christopher!

Thursday, March 12th

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Thursday, March 12th. Please don't forget to sign the guest book when you arrive.
Also, if any of you have an interesting or funny story to tell about Erkki, feel free to bring a written copy and leave it with us as a keepsake for Erkki's children.

Celebration of Life

The celebration of Erkki's life will take place on Thursday, March 12th, at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, 141 St. George Street, (corner of Bloor and St Georges) from 7-9pm.

For directions please check www.rcyc.ca.(map on right).

Obituary

ERKKI PUKONEN

BORN:AUG.30, 1943,
PANDIVERE,ESTONIA
DIED:FEB. 28, 2009,TORONTO

If a man can be measured
by the richness of his friendships
and the love of his family,
Erkki was a giant

Erkki passed away peacefully on Saturday after a courageous battle, surrounded by his family. He was particularly happy to have fought long enough to see his first granddaughter, three-week old Ocea Margaret Esteri Green, from British Columbia.

Erkki demonstrated the same fabulous qualities at the end of his life as he did throughout his 65 years. He had a consistent and endless ability to be positive, warm, thoughtful and loving. His nurses and doctors were touched and amused by his elegance and kindness, including in his final days, when, in characteristic form, he insisted on asking them “how are you today?”

Erkki burst onto the athletic scene as an unstoppable running back on the University of Toronto Blues, where he became known as the “Flying Finn”. He followed this with a short spell with the Saskatchewan Roughriders before focusing his competitive drive on sailing, squash and tennis at the RCYC.

Professionally, Erkki wove his creative flair into a successful career in architecture and development. Although he focused primarily on business and development, he never lost his love for design, clean lines, space and architectural beauty.

Erkki valued family and friendship above all. These are the priorities that shaped his life. Erkki leaves behind his wife Tachy and his children Jenny (Dylan Green), Tamsin and Markus, stepsons Jonathan and Christopher Yapp, grandson Heron Wilson and granddaughter Ocea Green.

His passing is also mourned by the rest of his family and his extensive array of close friends. Erkki is predeceased by his father, Matti Pukonen, his mother, Ester Vaher and his first wife, Margaret Simpson.

The photograph above captures the love of life that was Erkki’s essence. We will always remember his wonderful spirit, his fabulous grin and his firm handshake, as well as his love of cigars, Wilson Pickett (played loudly) his crazy sailing adventures and squash with his friends. Erkki was loved by many and his passing is a tremendous loss.

Erkki will be cremated at a private ceremony attended by his family. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday March 12th at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, 141 St. George Street (Bloor & St. George) 7-9pm.

Erkki’s family wishes to thank Dr. Mark Minden, Dr. Ken Peckham and the wonderful nurses at Princess Margaret Hospital for their professionalism and kindness during Erkki’s illness. In lieu of flowers Erkki can be honoured through donations to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (Canadahelps.org).

Flowers

Tachy has asked that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada in lieu of flowers. The LLS society has funded hundreds of researchers in blood disorders since 1955. The link can be found on the right. Thank you so much.

Peace

Our beloved Erkki passed away peacefully this morning.
 
Erkki will be cremated and we will have a service for the immediate family only.
We are planning a celebration of Erkki's life in a week or two.
Details to follow.


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Thursday P.M.

Our favourite Warrior has opened his eyes a few times today and we can tell by the expression in his eyes that he can hear us speaking to him. Other than that, no huge change from yesterday. All 10 of us take turns spending time with Erkki, including Ocea.
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Update Wed. Noon

Erkki is no longer responsive and the focus is on keeping him comfortable.
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Ocea and Grandad

Our Prize Fighter rallied today, in time to  meet granddaughter Ocea. Erkki's face had a look of pure wonder,joy and pride. An incredibly emotional moment for the family.
Erkki stayed awake for at least 2 hours, speaking to us occasionally, smiling and, would you believe, 'dancing' in bed to Wilson Pickett playing in the background.
We are praying that he will wake up again for Ocea's visit tomorrow.

 





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Monday PM

Erkki is stable tonight and getting as much morphine as he needs to keep him comfortable. Markus and Tam are here. Jen, Dylan, Ocea, Jonathan and Christopher will arrive tomorrow. Just wonderful to have my brothers Ian and Tom (and wife Kathy)  here. I wish my brother Philip could join us but my Mum needs him in Mexico City after her recent health issues.

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Update on Monday

Erkki is hanging in, he continues to amaze everyone with his strength.
He wakes up for a few seconds every so often and smiles when he sees we are with him.

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Sunday Feb 22

I'm sorry to say that Erkki is going downhill quite rapidly. He knows we're here with him.

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Phone calls

I meant to add a thank you to so many of you who have tried to reach us via my cell and Erkki's. Unfortunately Erkki has been too weak and tired to talk to anyone the last few days.
And thanks also to the Mrs. Fields Cookie team!
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Eman

Not a good day. Erkki has developed a sore throat and mouth which appears to be infected, an extremely scary word. Chemo will be stopped now to allow white counts to go up and start fighting.
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Erkki's cell

Erkki's cell doesn't seem to work very well in the room he is in now, so feel free to call mine and I can pass the phone to him. I'm with Erkki most of the day and evening.
647 289 0960

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Feb.18th

Not much news to report. Erkki has had more chemo, including a new cocktail 2 days ago.
He is weak and the chemo has played havoc on his appetite.
The wound continues to heal, ever so slowly, but at least there is no infection.
We're not sure when we can get him home, but we know he has to feel much better than he does now.
He enjoys hearing from friends, feel free to call him at 416-553-8130

007

Erkki will be receiving more chemo this afternoon. He is up and walking around more often.... hoping he will be strong enough to come home on Tuesday or Wednesday.
In the meantime we are enjoying watching the original James Bond movies. The Star Patient was very happy to see Ursula Andress again!
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New Line

Erkki had the new Hickman line put in today. It was a bigger deal than we were told it would be. Local anesthesia, stitches (so I assume an incision)
The doctor who did the procedure was very rough, what Erkki actually said about him is unprintable. It is rare for Erkki to complain about anything so Nurse Rached is fuming. 
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