Antti Abraham Valtee
January 14th, 2014
Antti Abraham Valtee passed away on January 14, 2014, after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
Antti was born in Töysä, Finland in 1935, the ninth of eleven children. He moved to Canada in 1959, first settling in the large Finnish community in Sudbury, Ontario. He moved to British Columbia in 1965, eventually settling and raising his family in the Brookswood area of Langley in 1973, before retiring in Chilliwack in 1995. After spending part of his life in logging and mining, Antti became an outstanding master carpenter in the Vancouver area.
Antti loved working in his workshop. Whether it was a piece of furniture or a simple bird house, he took great pride in his work. His home was full of the furniture that he built. If you had asked him for help with a house renovation, Antti would be there the next day, tools in hand, ready to give you his advice. A strong, quiet and independent man, Antti dedicated his life to his children and to his carpentry.
Antti was pre-deceased by his 10 siblings. Antti is survived by his daughter Elaine, her husband Dave, and their daughter Emma, and he is also survived by his son Rick and his wife Heather, as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Finland.
Antti's family would like to express their sincere thanks to all of the staff at MSA Manor, Tabor Home, Deltaview and Arbutus Place for all of the loving care they provided to Antti over the past 8 years. Special thanks to the Caregivers at Arbutus Place for making his last days as comfortable as possible. The family will be holding a Celebration of Life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Antti's family ask that you make donations to the Alzheimer's Society of B.C.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.
Messages:
The Finchs would like to send our heartfelt sympathy to Elaine,Dave,Emma,Rick and Heather.My fondest memories of "Andy" as I use to call him, was when I was a teenager living in Langley.I use to hang out at Elaines house all the time and when Andy would come home from a hard days at work, he ALWAYS had the biggest smile on his face. He would sit at the kitchen table with Elaine and I and we would have coffee together. ( He loved his sugar cubes!!)We would always have a good laugh as I tried to comprehend his mixed languages of Finnish /Canadian all rolled into one! What a character! He was a master at his craft of woodwork,as we have a beautiful beam courtesy of him at our house. We were separating two rooms in our downstairs and hadnt a clue of what to do. Without a blink of an eye he was over with all of his tools and put the most beautiful wood beam up (of course with a big smile on his face!)A tornado could not take that beam down! It is the center piece of our rec-room, I will always think of him when I look at it. When Andy moved to Chilliwack, Monty and I went to visit him at his new home. The backyard had big trees all around, and did he not make a birdhouse for everyone of them....beautiful!! I will always remember Andy with a big smile,kind,caring,and the most giving man you could ever hope to meet. He is in a better place, but he will always be in my memories and heart. A good,good man, right to the end. All our love, Monty,Nuala,Siobhan,Ciara Finch xoxoxox
Condolances from myself and Liz on the passing of your dad and grandfather. I have many good memories of time spent with Antti from Sunday drives out into the countryside outside of Sudbury to summer days at the beaches around Vancouver. And who could forget the good times we had at xmas playing ping pong and twister in the basement out in Langley. I'm sure you have lots of great memories too so lets keep them close and use them as comfort at this time. Love uncle Jari.
My heartfelt condolences on the loss of your papa. May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared comfort you. I have been blessed with the opportunity of sharing a little part of Antti's life with you and your family over the last few years. Your family will always be in my thoughts.
Elaine & Dave Our wishes are with you and all of your family. Love Mom and Dad Harley Abbotsford,BC
I have only so beautiful memories of Antti. In my childhood Antti was THE nice and pleasant guy, my idol. He always smiled and told us funny stories and jokes. In summer 1958 he tried so hard to teach me to swim but he did not succeed in his attempt, I learned to swim two or three years later. Antti spent lots of time with me and other children. I'll always remember the moment Antti left to Canada in 1959. At that time I was five years old. He raised me in his arms and said "Pasi boy, now I'm leaving far away beyond the Atlantic Ocean but some day I'll come back to see you and then I'll give to you a toy gun as my present". That promise did not come true because it took more than 15 years when we met again (maybe it was the year 1976, I'm not sure). After that visit Antti came two times to see his relatives in Finland. Everybody was so glad to meet him! So many good memories and beautiful moments!!! I remember Antti with a deep sense of loss. He has now passed away but he'll always live in my head. My deep sympathies to Elaine and Rick and all close to you.
Our family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to Elaine's and Rick's families on passing of their father and grandfather. Find comfort in knowing that he is in a better place now. Find comfort in your own "sisu" which you have inherited from your parents. It will help you in your grief and help you in your future without him. All our love, Helena and Kari and Jari with their families.
With our deepest sympathy to Elaine and Rick and all your family. He is not suffering any more and he is with God and he will still be with you in your hearts and thoughts for all the years to come. With love, Mom and Esko.
We just read of Antti's passing and had to share some thoughts with Elaine, Rick and their families. Living next door to the Valtees for over 20 years, Antti's became our go to guy for all things from carpentry to gardening to cross country skiing. I can see him now climbing a steep incline in his cross country skis with all the energy of a teen. He built so many things for us, shared several Christmas morning coffees, drank a few pops, danced at a few community gatherings, and shared many laughs. Ask him for help with something and he quickly answered " why sure" and he dropped everything to get the job done. We could not have asked for better neighbours. All the best Elaine and family and Rick and Heather. Hugs, Bonnie, Keith, Nathan and Lindsay