It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dad, Henry “Hank” Ranta, on Wednesday March 20, 2024. He was born in Fort William, ON to Lydia and Alex Ranta.

His early years were spent on Silver Falls Rd. (Kaministiquia). After his father's passing in 1940, he moved with his mother to Port Arthur, living on Otto St. and attending Shuniah St. Public School.

He started working in 1950 for CN Rail, then Great Lakes Lumber in the Armstrong area. The following spring he started on the lake freighters, tugboats and dredges. He was employed on a dredge on the St Lawrence River at the very beginning of the seaway project in 1954. He also worked tugboats on Lake Nipigon; then went on to various jobs in forestry, construction and trucking, throughout northern Ontario. In 1965 he began employment at Powell Equipment, the local Caterpillar dealer, retiring in 2000 after 35 years.

Hank and Rose (Kozak) were married July 5, 1958, and spent 51 great years together until mom's passing in 2009. Family time, travelling and gardening were his main interests.

Hank is survived by his son Gary (Patti), two sisters in law and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his loving wife Rose, his parents, son Lorne, sister Aune Heikkinen, also many in-laws.

A funeral service to celebrate Hank Ranta will be held on Tuesday April 2, 2024 at 11:00am, in the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma, with Rev. Randy Boyd officiating. Interment in Riverside Cemetery will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Avenue II and the Humane Society would be appreciated.