John Leinonen was born December 22, 1949 in Finland and passed away peacefully November 30th 2015 in his home in Nelson BC
He arrived by boat with his family on the S.S. Seven Seas in 1957 and spent his younger years in Thunder Bay and Toronto.
John hitchhiked all over North America and decided to settle in Nelson in the 70’s where he started his family.
He introduced his boys to many many camping, fishing trips, and lengthy treks to Mexico. Winter would see him ice fishing and camping up Mountain Lakes with his friend Andre Leduc.
He leaves to mourn him, a blended family, including his sons, Harley Leinonen, Thomas Stevens, and Jesse Benson.
One of his sons wrote, Thanks for helping to make my childhood such a cool one Dad.
John was an outdoors-man, a carpenter, a fisherman, a father, and friend to many.
He was easygoing and happy-go-lucky with a great sense of humour. He took life as it came and quite often said he didn’t know what he was doing tomorrow as he “lived in the moment”.
He will be deeply missed, but always remembered.
John was loved by many.
He was an original and there will never be another like him.
He was a free spirit and will be missed by all who knew him.
Online condolences may be expressed at
www.thompsonfs.ca
Megan Johnson of Thompson Funeral Service has been entrusted with the cremation arrangements