Hovi, Wilbert

October 14, 1942
~ August 11, 2010
Wilbert “Willie” Urho Hovi passed away after a brief and courageous battle with cancer at the age of 67 years.

Wilbert grew up in a much loved farmhouse in Silver Mountain before moving to Hudson for employment. Unknown at the time that this was where his life would begin by accepting the invitation to a Sadie Hawkins dance, by a brown-eyed beauty named Pat, his wife of 46 years. They eventually settled in Thunder Bay in 1976, where he worked for Great West Timber until he retired in 2003.

Wilbert "Wil, Dad, Papa, Uncle Willie, Willie" enjoyed time with family and friends sharing a Finnish tradition of sweating everyone out of "The Sauna that Wil Built" and jumping into the snow. He truly loved spending time with family and close friends at the "Trapper's Cabin". He was an avid outdoorsman - trapping, hunting and fishing, passing his knowledge and experiences onto his children and grandchildren. He was a long time member of Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and Northwestern Fur Trappers Association Inc.

Wilbert will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Pat; his children, Tina, Wade (Karen); grandchildren, Kris Kaperi, Lee Kaperi, Breann Hovi, Ryan Hovi; siblings, Helvi Ponka (Bill), Edla Pajunen (Tauno), Melvin (May), Irene Loukola; sister-in-law, Pat Hovi (Rod), Marnie Glena (Mo); and many nieces and nephews.

Wilbert was predeceased by his parents, Urho and Taimi; brothers, Harold and Arnold; nephew, Robbie Ponka; and brother-in-law Wayne Loukola.

Following cremation, Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street, officiated by Rev. Lloyd Ivany. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to Service time. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Wilbert’s memory to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation – Northern Cancer Fund.