TIMO KOSKINEN

We are deeply saddened to share with our community that our Husband, Father, Grandfather and friend, Timo Koskinen passed away on the evening of August 5, 2025, in the loving arms of his wife and best friend, Susan.

Born on June 1, 1949, in Kokkola, Finland, Timo adopted a strong Finnish work ethic from a very young age. He sold pastries from a street cart and worked on steamships and fishing boats across the Baltic and North Seas.

Timo immigrated to Canada in 1964 with his sister Liisa, mother Irja and great-grandmother Saimi Sulin. Timo began learning English in night school and delved into his lifelong passion with the arts. Timo produced thousands of pieces of art throughout his lifetime that are on display in homes and galleries across the world. He enjoyed all mediums, including wood sculptures, wire sculptures, soap stone, acrylic and oil painting. Equal to his love of fine arts was his love of music. Timo enjoyed every genre, from every decade and spent hours listening to LPs, 45s, CDs, local radio and YouTube videos, sending out links to songs for every occasion and inspiration to family near and far.

Over his career, Timo worked various jobs, including as a fire lookout, painting boxcars and freight trains at Can Car, working in the mines in Manitoba and starting his own painting company Tapio Painting. Timo later dedicated his life's work to helping others, spanning a 30+ year career in healthcare as an orderly, laundry aide and physio assistant at McKellar Hospital, Port Arthur General, Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Timo's kind, gentle and easy-going nature gained him the nickname "gentle giant" by his colleagues and friends. After his retirement, he reconnected with his love of swimming and built a routine around daily swims and sauna at the Canada Games Complex.

Timo had a kindness that extended beyond his work in helping others. Timo had a strong compassion towards all animals. He often aided wounded birds and lost animals and surrounded himself with many household pets (all kinds!), including dogs, cats, rabbits, snakes, a monkey, crow, tarantula and countless fish.

Timo leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Susan and their beloved dog Niko; four children: Jason (Fatima), Jennifer (Steve), Crystal (Rudi) and Tanya (Matt) as well as grandchildren Adam, Zayn, June, Cameron, Lachlan and Solenne; sister Liisa Montroy and niece, Natasha Filler and numerous relatives in Finland.

Timo was predeceased by his mother, Irja Orvokki Sulin and father, Aapeli Koskinen.

Timo was known by many for his storytelling. He had so many life adventures that you would always learn something new if you sat down over kahvi or a beer. Through it all, Timo had 2 pieces of life wisdom that he would come to share with everyone: "Drink Lots of Water" and "Be Excellent to Each Other". Kippis Timo! Peace and Love on your next journey…and Keep on Rocking in The Free World.

A private graveside service has already taken place. A Celebration of Life will happen in late Spring 2026 with an art exhibit highlighting Timo's artwork; details will be made available closer to the date.

Condolences may be offered at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca