Mr. Donald Arvo Gustivi Ruoho

DONALD RUOHO

It is with immeasurable grief that we announce the sudden passing of Don Ruoho, age 74, at Thunder

Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on March 12, 2024. Don was peacefully taken into Jesus’ loving

embrace, with his family by his side. Prior to this very brief illness, Don was enjoying one of his favourite

pastimes, ice fishing on Lake Superior at Kama Point with his best friend.

Donald Arvo Gustivi Ruoho AKA: Don, Donny (to most), and even Ronnie to a few ;) Was born February

1, 1950 and was a lifetime resident of Nipigon. He graduated from Algonquin College for

instrumentation with honours and began working at Domtar Paper in Red Rock. During this time, he

completed an electrician apprenticeship and was well known around the mill for his sharp mind and

excellent problem solving skills. Later on he moved to TransCanada Pipelines and finished his career

there.

Don met the love of his life, Kit, at a summer gathering at Loftquist Lake. They were married in Sept.

1975 and in the following years, welcomed two children, Brandon and Jaimi. He was the BEST Dad

anyone could ever ask for. Our Dad wrote the book on being a good person. We wish everyone could

study this book so that the world would be a better place. He used to say, “It’s just as easy to be nice.”

Family was the most important thing in Don’s life. He was the glue at family gatherings and made each

one so memorable, with his quick wit and hilarious stories. You could always find Don puttering around

the house or camp – he could not sit still and was always busy with something. His love of fishing with

anyone, at any time, was well known by all. Say the word and he was there, ready with the boat packed

and lunch in the cooler. Any visit with family would surely include a fishing trip on big or small water. He

especially enjoyed mentoring Iain, Jason, Aaron and Alissa and their families in this hobby. His favourite

fishing buddy was his son Brandon, whom he enjoyed many memorable trips with, starting when

Brandon was just four years old. His bond with Jaimi was not around the outdoors but fully centered on

family time, which got so much more loving when his only grandchild Jake arrived. Jaimi will sadly miss

seeing Jake on his epic adventures with Grandpa and all the anticipation and excitement it brought. He

was the BEST Grandpa ever.

Don was extremely driven and hardworking, sisu defined his being. There wasn’t a thing he couldn’t fix

or modify. He was known around town for these talents and helped many friends and acquaintances

over the years. He was very giving of his time and always willing to lend a hand. He was the definition of

“jack of all trades”: metal fabricator, master woodworker, carpenter, plumber, mechanic, chef, fish

filleter, photographer, gardener, landscaper, and more. He was closing in on his cribbage master status

from teachings with John, the true master. When his grandson Jake was born, new activities were added

to the list, Grandpa loved: hide and go seek, tickle monster, making Finn pancakes, babysitting, reading

stories and just spending as much time as possible during his visits with Jakey, the apple of his eye.

Don was a man of faith, and devoted much of his time over the years with the Lutheran Church in

Nipigon, to which his mother, Eila, was a founding member of. He served on church council for many

years and even lead services in times when the pastor position was vacant. It broke his heart when he,

and the church council, made the difficult decision to sell the building.

Predeceased by his mother, Eila and father Arvo Ruoho of Nipigon.

Don will be profoundly missed by his loving wife of 48 years, Kit. Children, Brandon (Julie) Ruoho of

Thunder Bay, Jaimi (Adam) Long of Kitchener and grandson, Jake. Father-in-law, John (Whitey) Smith of

Red Rock and his sisters, Sharon Doran and Elaine (Yvon) Begin of Thunder Bay. Numerous cousins,

nieces, nephews and extended family and friends will also miss Don’s presence.

The family would like to thank the doctor and nurses at Nipigon District Memorial Hospital, Ornge land

and air ambulance, Thunder Bay Regional ICU doctors’ Turner and McCallum and special thank you to

ICU nurses Michelle and Julia.

Cremation has taken place. A service will be held at a later date this summer at the former Lutheran

Church building in Nipigon, these were Don’s wishes. Celebration of life will follow and will combine

many of Don’s favourite things: family, friends, camp, good food and drink, sauna, boat rides, and laughs

with the people who loved him most. The family will communicate details at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Nipigon District Memorial Hospital.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpler Times Cremation Centre, 575 Central Avenue, Thunder Bay.