KALEVI KANGAS, aged 89, resident of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully, at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Services Center, on September 23rd, 2024. He led a long, happy and active life until his sudden passing.
Born on March 28th, 1935, in Ile Maligne (Alma), Quebec, he and his family briefly returned to Finland before WWII, ultimately returning to Canada after the war, to what was Port Arthur, Ontario. In Port Arthur, he graduated from Port Arthur Collegiate. At a young age, Kal as many called him, knew he wanted to design buildings. He graduated from the School of Architecture at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg in 1961.
This was the beginning of a long and productive career. Over the time from 1961 until his passing he co-owned and also worked for numerous architectural firms, in Thunder Bay, Quebec City, Helsinki and Ottawa. Most recently, he worked, for the past nearly 20 years, until last year, for Jim Peterson. Over his career, Kal designed and oversaw the construction of over 60 buildings, many of them in Thunder Bay. Kalevi was the recipient of the Ontario Architects Associations Member in Long Standing Award for at least 50 years of service, in 2015.
Kal loved puns and will be fondly remembered for his sense of humour and wit. He was a champion snooker player, pool hustler, and almost nearly as good at golf. Lately, he displayed bedazzling prowess at Sudoku. He was kind, loving and humble. He taught us never to harm a fly, and never talked about himself or any problems.
Kalevi is predeceased by two spouses. His first wife, Marja, with whom he was married from 1959 until her passing in 1983, and his second wife, Germaine, with whom he was married from 1989 until her passing in 2019.
Kalevi is survived by his sons Kurt and Kaj, his daughter in law Rie Nakatani, his sister, Kaisa, his nephews and nieces, Lauri, Diana and Zachary Kangas-Sainsbury, his brothers and sisters-in-law and their families, Pekka and Marilyn Torma, Tuula and John Kube, Vuokko and Voitto Serala, Tapani and Birgitta Salonen, Virginia Pennings, and friend Suzanne Squier. Kal is also greatly missed by his cat, Zoe.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Castlegreen Housing Cooperative Community Center, 213 Castlegreen Drive, at 1 pm on Wednesday, November 20th. If so desired, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Thunder Bay Humane Society, Castlegreen Cooperative, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada would be greatly appreciated.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
