Pentti Jarvela

1938 - 2021

We are sad to announce the passing of our dear brother, uncle, grand uncle, stepfather and cousin Pentti after a hard fought three year battle with cancer. Pentti was born May 7, 1938 in Port Arthur and left us at Lake Shuswap General Hospital in Salmon Arm, BC on July 1, 2021. He grew up in Nipigon on the family farm, worked in early years logging, on the river drive, and went on to accounting at the Domtar mill in Red Rock. He moved to BC in 1975 where he worked for Price Skeena Forest Products and then as comptroller at The Pas Lumber Co. in Prince George, finally retiring to Salmon Arm which he enjoyed so much. Pentti was a life long fitness buff, running, participating in track and field events into his retirement, even winning some gold medals at the BC Senior Games, golfing, later adding bird watching and walking on the Shuswap shores. Pentti was predeceased by his parents Oscar Jarvela (1962) and Rauha Jarvela (1999). He will be missed by step daughter Britt Bennekou (Dawn) Vancouver, brother Kaarlo (Ann) Nipigon, sister Sonja Kivilahti (Dale) Thunder Bay, cousins Arthur Alanko, Aune Alanko, and numerous cousins in Finland. He leaves nieces Kaarla Jensen (Ron), Karen Stravato (Claudio), Kristine Colistro (Tony) all of Thunder Bay, and nephews Jon Jarvela (Lynn) Thunder Bay, Marcus Kivilahti of Minesing, Kyle Kivilahti (Lynn) Thunder Bay, Todd Kivilahti (Stephanie) Red Rock, as well as many grand nieces and nephews. He was thankful also for his many BC friends who were like family. Pentti bore his illness with unwavering optimism and Finnish sisu to his last day. A family celebration of his life will be held later when we bring his ashes home to Nipigon.