Obituary for David Edward Oja
David Edward Oja
September 18, 1934 - October 17, 2022
We the family of David Oja sadly announce his death on Monday, October 17, 2022. Though his hospitalization was short and unexpected, in the end he was surrounded by family when he passed.
David was a people person and had the ability to remember the names of most people he met, where they worked, and each member of their family. It was a gift that allowed him to make many friends, develop business contacts, and live a life of comradery. He was a work hard/play hard type of person.
In the early 1960’s David met Audrey. They married in 1963 and raised three boys. During that time, he started Northwest Hydraulics with his business partner Peter Boychuck, and they ran it successfully for 19 years until selling it in 1989 and retiring at the age of 54.
David enjoyed bicycling, skiing, volunteering or being with friends and family. Some of the exploits include riding from Vancouver to Winnipeg in 13 days. He also pedaled from Vancouver to San Francisco, from Paris to Nice, participated many times in GRABAAWR in Wisconsin, RAGBRAI in Iowa and the Derrière Rouge in Thunder Bay. He had very memorable tours of Ireland, Italy, and Finland on his bicycle. In the winter, he enjoyed skiing in Whistler and in Thunder Bay, where he enjoyed socializing with friends. He was also a member of the Norwester Alpiner’s club in the 1970’s at Loch Lomond Ski Area. He also helped campaign to establish Magnus Theatre in Waverley Park in downtown Port Arthur (Thunder Bay). As well his volunteering activities also included organizing the food and drink stand at the Sibley Loppet cross-country ski tour. Remarkably more people asked for “the doctor” at the hot chocolate stand then they did at the medical tent. But for those who knew him, that cup of hot chocolate was known to be a bit more extra special.
After Audrey’s passing in 2014, he continuously tended to her favorite rose bushes and also to her and his son Brian’s grave sites at Riverside cemetery. Even as time marched on he did his best to maintain the garden, lawn, and upkeep of the house. Eventually, he retired from skiing and then from biking, and then the garden downsized, but his friends and family remained as important as always. Frequently, he would host a Thursday night and have an open invitation to his circle of friends to come over and join him for a glass of wine, listen to some old records, and talk about the best of times that had come to pass.
He was predeceased by his father Veikko Oja (Ollikainen) born Varpaisjärvi (Finland), his mother Grace (Shaw) born Port Arthur, Ontario, his son Brian, his wife Audrey (nee Scott) and his brother-in-law Rev. Roy Stoddard. He is survived by two sisters Ellen Stoddard and her sons Walter and Albert, and Ann Marie Maillette and her husband Roger and their daughters Nicole, Lisa and Marcelle. He is also survived his son John Oja, his wife Barbara, their children Ariane and Elias, and Terry Oja his wife Darla and their daughters Casandra, Larissa and Mandi.
We would like to extend our thanks to the TBRHSC medical staff in 2B whose hard work and compassionate care was greatly appreciated.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at Sargent and Son Funeral Home, 21 Court St N, Thunder Bay at 11am on Oct 29, 2022, with Rev. Ellen Stoddard officiating, followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to George Jeffrey Children’s Centre would greatly be appreciated.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com
September 18, 1934 - October 17, 2022
We the family of David Oja sadly announce his death on Monday, October 17, 2022. Though his hospitalization was short and unexpected, in the end he was surrounded by family when he passed.
David was a people person and had the ability to remember the names of most people he met, where they worked, and each member of their family. It was a gift that allowed him to make many friends, develop business contacts, and live a life of comradery. He was a work hard/play hard type of person.
In the early 1960’s David met Audrey. They married in 1963 and raised three boys. During that time, he started Northwest Hydraulics with his business partner Peter Boychuck, and they ran it successfully for 19 years until selling it in 1989 and retiring at the age of 54.
David enjoyed bicycling, skiing, volunteering or being with friends and family. Some of the exploits include riding from Vancouver to Winnipeg in 13 days. He also pedaled from Vancouver to San Francisco, from Paris to Nice, participated many times in GRABAAWR in Wisconsin, RAGBRAI in Iowa and the Derrière Rouge in Thunder Bay. He had very memorable tours of Ireland, Italy, and Finland on his bicycle. In the winter, he enjoyed skiing in Whistler and in Thunder Bay, where he enjoyed socializing with friends. He was also a member of the Norwester Alpiner’s club in the 1970’s at Loch Lomond Ski Area. He also helped campaign to establish Magnus Theatre in Waverley Park in downtown Port Arthur (Thunder Bay). As well his volunteering activities also included organizing the food and drink stand at the Sibley Loppet cross-country ski tour. Remarkably more people asked for “the doctor” at the hot chocolate stand then they did at the medical tent. But for those who knew him, that cup of hot chocolate was known to be a bit more extra special.
After Audrey’s passing in 2014, he continuously tended to her favorite rose bushes and also to her and his son Brian’s grave sites at Riverside cemetery. Even as time marched on he did his best to maintain the garden, lawn, and upkeep of the house. Eventually, he retired from skiing and then from biking, and then the garden downsized, but his friends and family remained as important as always. Frequently, he would host a Thursday night and have an open invitation to his circle of friends to come over and join him for a glass of wine, listen to some old records, and talk about the best of times that had come to pass.
He was predeceased by his father Veikko Oja (Ollikainen) born Varpaisjärvi (Finland), his mother Grace (Shaw) born Port Arthur, Ontario, his son Brian, his wife Audrey (nee Scott) and his brother-in-law Rev. Roy Stoddard. He is survived by two sisters Ellen Stoddard and her sons Walter and Albert, and Ann Marie Maillette and her husband Roger and their daughters Nicole, Lisa and Marcelle. He is also survived his son John Oja, his wife Barbara, their children Ariane and Elias, and Terry Oja his wife Darla and their daughters Casandra, Larissa and Mandi.
We would like to extend our thanks to the TBRHSC medical staff in 2B whose hard work and compassionate care was greatly appreciated.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at Sargent and Son Funeral Home, 21 Court St N, Thunder Bay at 11am on Oct 29, 2022, with Rev. Ellen Stoddard officiating, followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to George Jeffrey Children’s Centre would greatly be appreciated.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com