A message from Jouni Ranta
UPDATED with Facebook page about A Celebration of Life on June 9, 2019 at
1696 Edenwood Dr, Oshawa, ON L1G 7Y5, Canada
I have a heavy heart to let you all know that my amazing father Sorjo “Sarge” “Pops” Ranta passed away Saturday evening. Pops had been dealing with pulmonary fibrosis for many years. He battled with humour and positivity until the very end. When he left, my mom, brother and I were with him. I held his hand until the last, and he knew he was loved by everyone.
My weird and wonderful engineer friends may remember that Pops also wore the iron ring, as a professor of aerospace engineering. He loved Dr Who and Monty Python. He loved my mom, his sons and his grandchildren. He loved music, and he taught me so much about old jazz and blues. His love of Django Reinhardt led me to a new favourite.
With my mom, he gave us an incredible childhood and provided steady guidance as we became adults. I have so many memories that just end with a smile or a chuckle. He was a constant source of stories, love and laughter. In the dad lottery, I won the jackpot.
There will be no service, per his wishes. He will be cremated and returned to us in a biodegradable urn with tree seeds. When he is finally laid to rest, he will come back as a tree. His condition robbed him of oxygen, and his wish was to come back as one who provides oxygen. So shall it be.
There will be a celebration of Pops’ life on June 9, which would have been his 91st birthday. Details to follow.
Sorjo Ranta
Born June 9, 1928 South Porcupine Ontario (yup, it’s a place)
Left March 9, 2019 Oshawa Ontario(yup…also a place ?)
RIP Sorjo, thanks for your contribution to the club and I’m sure to the lives of many many people, RIP.