John Niemi

"His Family was his life, and his life was his Family"

It is with great sadness that the family of John Niemi announces his passing on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at the Bethany Care Centre in Cochrane, Alberta. Another of Canmore's Pioneers has left this earth to begin a new journey.

John was born in Phoenix, B.C, on June 6, 1917, the youngest of 7 children born to Maria and John Niemi who came to Canmore from Finland. When John was 3 months old his parents and siblings returned to Canmore after a short closure of the Canmore Mines. At the young age of 13 John, an honour student was forced to quit school due to the sudden passing of his father. John started working for the Canmore Dairy to support his mother and his 4 sisters. Once he was a little older he also started to work at the Canmore Mines where his main duty was to care for the mine's horses. John worked at the Canmore mines for 19 years then began working for Canada Cement in Exshaw, Alberta. After 33 years of service he retired in 1982.

In his early years while working at the mines John was known as one of the early Trail Blazers often guiding friends and visitors throughout the Spray Valley. He had many interesting encounters with the local wildlife as well as meeting and making friends with many people who travelled to the west to visit. It was during one of these visits that John met Wilf Carter. Wilf and John became very good friends and spent many hours playing guitar and singing around the campfire together after a day of fishing.

John enlisted with the 13th Regiment of the Nova Scotia Highlanders on May 20, 1942 and began his tour of duty in the United Kingdom and throughout Western Europe. On June 6, 1944, his 27 birthday, better known as D Day, John landed on the shores of Normandy and was a part of the first wave of allied forces to invade hostile troops, thus, beginning their mission to liberate Europe from enemy forces. John was discharged of his duties on Feb 5, 1946 to return to civilian life.

John was known for his servitude to his community, a man who knew the true meaning of Community. His kind and gentle soul made him one of a kind, always giving, always smiling, always there for those who needed anything at anytime. He was instrumental in every aspect of his community including Hockey, Darts, Bingo, Curling, Service Groups, you name it, he was there giving so much of himself. He also belonged to a music band in the early days of Canmore who played at all community functions where families could gather to celebrate. During the 1988 Winter Olympics John spent many hours volunteering his services wherever he was needed. His main job however was a being a translator for the Finnish National team.

John was best known as the Community Santa Claus. For more than 50 years John and his wife Jean spent the each year preparing for the next Christmas. They would buy gifts and candy from their own funds and with money they made from Johns woodwork. He would make birdhouses, whirly Birds, napkin holders and other wooden artefacts that he sold, solely for his Christmas giving. Besides many events prior to Christmas, every Christmas Eve John would dawn his Santa Suit and off he went, always with some of his children and grandchildren in tow acting as elves to help him along his way. He would have visited up to 50 homes, at times not getting home until well after midnight. Even this past Christmas at 93 years of age, John suited up and went around in his wheelchair visiting each resident at the care center where he lived giving them a Christmas treat.

John was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion #3, Canmore for the past 65 years, and was also an honorary member of the Exshaw Legion #179. He was the president of the Canmore Legion for 9 years and also represented Zone 5 as the Zone Commander. One of John's highlights in his legion service was the distinct honour of installing his son Ian as President of the Exshaw Legion. A few weeks later Ian installed his Dad as president of the Canmore Legion.

John was predeceased by his loving wife and best friend of 57 years, Jean, on April 19, 1998. He was also predeceased by his parents, his 6 siblings, and 1 Grandson Robert in June of 1965.

He is survived by his children: John Jr (Brenda) Niemi of Williams Lake B.C.,, Ian (Donna) Niemi of Cochrane, Alberta, Suzanne ( Marshall) Michaluk of Canmore, Alberta, MaryAnn (Rick) Craig, of Canmore, Alberta and Lynn (Les) Varey of Bowser, B.C. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

A memorial funeral service for John was held on Wednesday April 20 at St. Michael's Anglican Church. His cremated remains, along with Jean's ashes, were interred in the Field of Honor in the Canmore Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory may be made to the Bethany Care Centre "Bus Fund" 302 Quigley Drive Cochrane, Alberta T4C 1X9 or a charity of your choice.

"Time to go – The sun sets each day, and it's the same with the avenues in your life. See the beauty within each sunset in your life, and know that the sun will rise again tomorrow. Endings are merely the start of a new beginning."

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.