Reino Emanuel Syrjala, Sr.

Reino Emanuel Syrjala, Sr. was born August 2, 1922, on Sugar Island, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Emanuel and Aina (Laine) Syrjala. He passed away April 13, 2016 at Hospice House of Sault Ste. Marie. He married Doloris Thibodeau on March 16, 1946 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. In his youth, Reino participated in cross country ski races on Sugar Island. While serving in the Army during WWII he served in the European Theater in the 9th Armored Division where he saw action in Germany. He was a member of the D.A.V. and the V.F.W. He drove a school bus when his children were young, delivered milk, and was a carpenter most of his life, working construction. He worked on the Mackinac Bridge from start to finish. He was involved in the Chippewa County 4-H and FFA programs with his children. He was a hobby farmer, raising Shetland ponies for over 40 years. Children, grandchildren, many relatives and friends enjoyed pony cart rides at The Farm. He also enjoyed deer hunting and fishing with his childhood Sugar Island friend, George Currie. He enjoyed his many friends and good times at the senior lunches at the Sugar Island Community Center. He was very involved with the Sugar Island Historical Preservation Society, especially with the Finn Hall restoration project. He loved to play cribbage and Farkle with his family and friends. Reino is survived by daughters Pamela (William) Moore of Rockford, Illinois; Gwenn (Dennis) Aho of Sault Ste. Marie and Penny Syrjala of Kinross; sons Robert and Reino, Jr. of Sault Ste. Marie and Ronald. Grandchildren; Kimberley (Todd) Pietrangelo of Sault Ste. Marie, Timothy Aho of Sault Ste. Marie, Robert Moore of Rockford, Illinois, James Moore of Ketchikan, Alaska; Justin Syrjala of Kinross, Joshua Syrjala of Kinross, Tammy (Mike) Selby, of Minnesota. Great grandchildren Madeline Moore, Ashley Pietrangelo, Erica Pietrangelo, Great great grandchildren Kyler Pietrangelo Ayanna Cobert. Predeceased by parents Emanuel and Aina Syrjala, wife Doloris, son-in-law William Moore, sister Mildred (Leonard) Morgan, brother Kayo Robert Syrjala, granddaughter Jackie Wemigwans and special friend Irja Cole. Nephews Mark Morgan and Leonard Morgan, Jr. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice House of SSM, 308 W. 12th Avenue Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 and the Sugar Island Historical Preservation Society, P.O. Box 72 Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. Visitation will be held 1:00pm until 2:30pm Saturday April 23, 2016 at Clark Bailey Newhouse Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will follow at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens. Online condolences may be left at www.clarkbaileynewhouse.com.

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Reino Emanuel Syrjala, Sr.

August 2, 1922 - April 13, 2016