Reino Joseph "Ray" Karjalainen

1940 - 2021

Mr. Reino “Ray” Joseph Karjalainen, age 80 years, passed away peacefully August 22, 2021 in hospital.

Ray was born December 31, 1940 in Kivikoski, Ontario. He was the youngest of three, growing up in Lappe in the days of a one room schoolhouse, then on to PACI and Lakeview High Schools. He also attended Teachers College in Port Arthur. In 1962, after an introduction by one of his cousins, he met Margaret Rankka and began dating the girl who was to be his lifelong partner.

A family man, Ray was always eager for family gatherings of any type whether it was at home, camp, visiting his sister and her family in Ohio, cousins in Minnesota, Michigan, or Finland. And if he couldn't visit, a phone call was just as welcome.

He was not a man to sit idle. He worked hard throughout his life; from farm work to operating a grader, to driving a truck. He never stood still! In 1964, he began his teaching career in Dryden, Ontario, and taught at McKenzie School and finally Gron Morgan High School. During the summer months, Ray worked driving bus or cutting firewood until he chose to drive full time for Greyhound Bus Lines. Health issues brought about an early retirement in 1998. Still, he continued working, running Karj's Sand and Gravel until the completion of the dream home at One Island Lake. Here he could dedicate time to his passions: trapping, fishing, and hunting. The trapline was his happy place.

Ray is survived  by his wife of 58 years, Margaret; daughter Marcia Reiner and son in-law Kevin Reiner; step-grandsons Lyle (Taryn), Kristofer and the newest light of his life, great grandson Finley. He is also survived by his sister Sylvia Marcis in Florida, brothers in-law Jim Rankka (Salmi) and Larry (Trisha) as well as numerous loving nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces that will all miss their favorite Uncle Ray. Cousins from across Canada, the United States and Finland will miss his phone calls for any reason (Canada vs. Finland – World Junior Hockey!).

He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Anna Karjalainen; son, Dean; parents in-law, Ray and  Helen Rankka; brother in-law, Toivo Rinne; sister, Impi Rinne; brother in-law, Rev. Albert Marcis and recently his cousin and friend, Torsti Hynna.

Funeral services for the late Mr. Ray Karjalainen will be held in Lappe Lutheran Church with the Rev. Neil Otke officiating. Interment will follow in Lappe Cemetery. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the service attendance will be limited. A Celebration of Ray's Life will be held at a later date where all are welcome.

Arrangements have been entrusted to EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.

If friends so desire, donations may be made to Lappe Lutheran Church or Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.

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everestofthunderbay.com