Veikko Jaakko Malkamaki

1946 - 2020

Veikko Malkamaki, age 74, Concord Twp. OH, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2020 at his son’s home in Concord Township with his family at his side.
He was the owner of Malkamaki Painting & Paperhanging for over 50 years and worked at his wife’s business Finnish Treasures in Fairport Harbor. Veikko and Laura were married on November 11, 1995 in Van Nuys, California and celebrated over 25 years of marriage. Veikko was born in Lapua, Finland, Sept. 5, 1946 to Kustaa and Katri (Prepula) Malkamaki. He graduated from Seinäjoki Business School and served in the Finnish Air Force Arms & Mechanical Weapons Division in Kauhava. He immigrated to the U.S.A in 1966 and is a dual citizen of Finland and the U.S.A. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Fairport Harbor, served on Council for a number of terms and was a part of the Finnish Men’s Bible Study. Veikko was heavily involved in the Mission group, traveling to Kontupohja, Russia to deliver communion supplies and bibles to the sister church. He was a Member at Large of the nation-wide ELCA Finnish (Suomi) Special Interest Conference for many years. He was President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Finnish-American Youth Association. Veikko also served as Secretary of the Knights and Ladies of Kaleva Virkkusen Maja #22 and was a Grand Bearer of Arms at the National Kaleva Convention at the Grand Lodge. Veikko was a Founder of the Finnish Heritage Museum in Fairport Harbor, where he was Treasurer for the first 3 years and Finance Committee Chairperson. He was a folk dancer in Seinäjoki, Finland and with the local Kipparit, Sisukas and Stubborn Kids Finnish Folk Dancers. Veikko was active in the Finnish-American community in Florida and was a member of the American Finnish Club, Finland House, Florida Karelian Club and Finlandia Foundation. He was involved in many activities including coaching Painesville T-ball and Little League baseball. He enjoyed playing goalie for the Haystack Soccer League and then refereed soccer games for over 30 years for the Greater Cleveland Soccer Association. He was honored to be chosen to referee a Cleveland Force Exhibition Soccer game. Veikko was an avid cross-country skier and member of the Ohio Nordic Ski Club where he won many trophies. Other hobbies included organizing fund raising events, bowling, golfing, baking Finnish nisu/pulla, volunteering at the Fairport Marine Museum and Lighthouse and socializing with close friends in a sauna club.
Veikko is survived by his wife, Laura (Heikkinen) Malkamaki, two sons, Dan (Solene) Malkamaki and Dennis (Julie) Malkamaki and grandchildren Matias (Madison), Thomas (Hanna), Lila, Sami, Niko, Mika, Zane, Parker, Quinn and brothers Esko and Paavo, sisters Elli and Aino.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, brother Arvo, sister Aili Liukkonen and grandson Theo.
Visiting hours will at Zion Lutheran Church, Fairport Harbor, Mon. Jan 4th, 3-6 pm. Interment will be in Concord Township Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Western Reserve, Zion Lutheran Church or Finnish Heritage Museum.