In loving memory of Henry Wetelainen, age 91, who passed away peacefully on Friday, December 27, 2019 with his family by his side.
Henry survived by his wife Edeline of 71 years, his children Henry (Dawn McKay), Sandy, Karen, Leah, Glen, Carey (Carla Potter), 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchild and 2 great-great grandchildren. He also had numerous nephews and nieces. He was pre-deceased by his daughter Joanne, 2 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, his parents and siblings.
Henry was born in Dryden on September 24, 1928 to Jonas and Maggie Wetelainen. He lived in Gold Rock as a young boy moving to Wabigoon after the death of his father. He started working in the bush cutting wood and loading railroad ties at an early age to help support his mother. On November 6, 1948 he married the love of his life Edeline and they started their family. He worked for the Dryden Paper Company building roads and loading wood trucks. He eventually quit the company and built Pinegrove Camping & Motel in Wabigoon, he started his small trucking operation selling gravel, black loam, building roads and installing septic fields. He trapped for many years with his sons and grandson. His love of the bush resulted in his setting up outpost camps and purchasing a lodge on Bending Lake.
Henry had many friends but one in particular, Jack, who always spent New Year’s with him at either one of his outposts, trapping cabin or his lodge, fishing for trout on opening day.
Henry never really retired; he was still delivering and loading trucks into his 80s. He helped his wife Edeline to run their camp ground and motel up until his dementia progressed. He loved to feed the deer and the birds and watched them eat from his patio doors. He was always sneaking food from the table to his beloved pets Rocky and Smarty.
The family would like to thank all the staff of Princess Court, who loving and compassionately cared for Henry during his final days.
A Private Family celebration of life will take place at a later date.
If friends desire donations may be made to Alzheimer Society or Princess Court Long-term Care Home through the Stevens Funeral Homes P.O. Box 412, Dryden ON P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be posted at www.stevensfuneralhomes.ca
