Passed away at the Sault Area Hospital on Saturday January 11, 2020, just 5 days before his 93rd birthday. He will be missed by his sons Tom of Calgary, Alberta and Rob (Robin Dose) of Sault Ste. Marie. After living a full life, he is reunited with Linda, his beloved wife of 40 years. Jaan immigrated to Canada from Estonia after the Second World War and in 1952 he started working in St. Catharines on the General Motors assembly line, working his way up to Senior Manufacturing Engineer. Designing engine parts for AJ Foyt and working for GM in Mexico were a couple of highlights of his career. Jaan was creative in many ways and he won numerous City of St. Catharines landscaping awards. He was an avid outdoors person who never missed an opportunity to get out on the water fishing or to go hunting with his beagle Cindy. Jaan enjoyed spending time with nieces, nephews, brother and sister in laws at ‘grandma’s farm’ (Linda’s mother) in St. Catharines. After Linda’s passing, Jaan moved to Parksville, British Columbia where he fished on both sides of Vancouver Island. In 2010 Jaan moved to Sault Ste. Marie to be closer to his son Rob. He was embraced and adopted by Robin’s family with whom he enjoyed many family gatherings. He spent most days working in Rob’s workshop designing and building anything from sunroom prototypes, to tables, lamps and fishing gear. When he wasn’t designing and building he was fishing rivers and lakes throughout Northern Ontario. Jaan lived an active life, still splitting firewood up until he was 90 years old. Donations (payable by cheque) to the Canadian Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. A celebration of life with family and friends will take place at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington Street East 705759-2522). Please visit Arthur Funeral website obituaries to leave memories and condolences as a keepsake for the family.
