Martti Makela

The Pipes the Pipes are calling…

The last verse has been sung,

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we must say goodbye to Martti Johannes Makela who left us knowing how much he was loved on Aug 26/2021 at Health Sciences North in Sudbury Ontario.

Martti was born on Oct 11/1943 to his Finnish Parents Niilo Makela and Maija (Saari). He was the youngest child of three children, Mauno Makela predeceased (Bonnie predeceased), Elvi Mikkola (Robert predeceased).

Martti was always so proud of his Finnish Heritage.

 “Sisu strength integrity and honesty “

Martti attended Sheridan Technical where he played football and his ability help led his team to win the city championship.  The passion he had for this sport he would pass down to the next two generations.

He is survived by the greatest love of his life his heart Annie Barr Faddis whom he met at the age of 13 on the swing set at Antwerp playground. They went on to be one of the greatest love stories of all times.

Together they created a family with strong morals and values to the core of everything.

Martti was a true family man who loved his children fiercely and is survived by Martin,  Jennifer and John. Then lucky enough to join this crew came Martin’s wife Donna (Sloan-Makela) and Jennifer’s husband Christopher Kruk, who Dad did not regard as just in laws but as a true extension of his own family.

Martti retired from a career he loved at Ontario Hydro as a high voltage lineman and later Forman. He still enjoyed staying in touch with the lifetime friends he made on the job.  When driving with his children in the car it was not uncommon for him to slow down and point to a pole or tower line and say, “I climbed that, I worked on that, I painted that pole.

After a cold hard day of working outside you would still find Martti at the neighborhood playground flooding the ice so that the neighborhood kids would have a rink to play hockey or ringette on.  And you could bet that if he saw a child outside with out a coat mitts or socks on, he would be running home to get that child what they needed to stay warm.  Back in those days it was not uncommon to see kids at that rink wearing wool work glove liners to keep warm.

Nothing made Martti happier than spending family time with his grandchildren, he leaves behind Anthony (Devyn), Dylan (Whitney), Christon (Alex), Ashton (Brittany), Christopher, John Jr. and Maija and great granddaughter Spencer.

As it was with his children, he loved these kids with all his heart.  Bapa would not be found in a crowd of fans but could always be seen watching from the end of the rink, back of the gym, off to the side of a soccer field, a back row in a theater or behind the 10-yard line.  Standing proud bursting with pride always followed by a hug, or a slap on the back and a box of smarties.

It is no secret where his favorite place was. The shoreline of Lake Mindemoya.  Martti and Annie took a drive one day to Manitoulin Island and they fell in love with the aqua blue waters of Lake Mindemoya. They built their new camp and what would become the Makela family paradise place to go. Martti was always busy tinkering in his shed, growing grapes, building, or fixing something, splitting wood to make the perfect wood pile, starting a sauna, or playing lifeguard on the beach.

Then summer would end, the kids would head back to school and the camp would get quiet. Martti and Annie would pack a picnic and a bottle of wine and would be off on an adventure to some part of the island for a day of fishing.

You will forever be with us in the smell of the woodstove from sauna, the sound of the waves, when we see a perfect wood pile, or look to the side lines, And of course in the sound of an off-key Christmas carol.

Till we see you again, we love you always.

“The summers gone, and all the leaves are falling, its you it’s you must go, and I must bide”

Cremation has taken place at Simple Wishes of the North, Sudbury. A small private family celebration of Martti’s life will be held soon.

** Please consider donating in Martti Makela’s name to Camp Quality. A summer camp for children battling cancer (https://www.campquality.org/about-us)

Our Dad knew all too well what cancer can do to its victim and their family and the joy being at camp can bring to everyone.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Martti Makela, please visit our Tree Store.