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Forever In the Hearts They Leave Behind

Jack Pohjola


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Jackson William Pohjola, 77, of Gold Canyon, formerly of Berkley, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona, surrounded by his loving family.

Jack was born in Highland Park, MI on January 1, 1943 to William and Annie Esther (Moilanen) Pohjola. He grew up in a primarily Finnish neighborhood near 10 Mile and Evergreen in Southfield, MI. He played baseball, basketball and football, graduating from Southfield High School in 1961 and attended Lawrence Institute of Technology.

Jack met his future bride, Rona, at 9 Mile and Telegraph
when her ‘57 Chevy broke down and he came to the rescue. They were married on
September 10, 1965 and lived first in an apartment in Warren and moved to
Berkley, Michigan in 1971 where they raised their family. 

Jack was that dad who always
attended school events, drove on field trips and taught his girls how to play
softball. Jack walked both his girls down the aisle and danced with them at
their weddings.

He retired in 2002 after
working 38 years as a Tool and Die Maker at TRW in Sterling Heights. While at
TRW, he played on the softball team and was a member of UAW Local 247.

Jack and Rona retired to
Montesa in Gold Canyon, AZ, in 2006, where he played Texas hold ‘em,
shuffleboard, and water volleyball. He loved to drive, travel, take cruises,
listen to most music, compete daily in Jeopardy, and watch sports.

Jack is survived by his amazing wife of 54 years, Rona
(Kass) Pohjola of Gold Canyon, daughter Kate (Timothy) Andrade of Leamington,
Ontario, Canada, and daughter Karen (Blake) Johnson of Imlay City, Michigan. He
is also survived by his four adoring granddaughters, Veronica, Lily and Alice
Johnson, and Jennifleur Andrade, as well as his sister Doris (Geoff) Naisby, of
Boca Raton, Florida, and brother Jay Pohjola, many nieces and nephews, dozens
of cousins and a world of friends. Jack is predeceased by parents William and
Esther Pohjola, brother Jeffrey Pohjola (1968), and beloved in-laws, William
and Ruth Kass. 

A memorial gathering will be held in the spring in Berkley,
Michigan.

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  1. Kate Pohjola Andrade says:

    Memorials may be made to Make-A-Wish Michigan: https://secure2.wish.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=donate_now&chid=022-000

  2. Debby Janiszewski says:

    I am very sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. He was indeed a great father. What l remember most about Rona & Jack is what a wonderful marriage they had. They were always joking around.
    Jack will be greatly missed by all.
    RIP Jack

  3. David Anderson says:

    I worked with Jack for over 30 years and enjoyed his company immensely. I’m sorry about his passing and send my deepest sympathy. He was someone you could trust

  4. larry wise says:

    My neighbor, my friend, my classmate rest in piece.

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Jack Pohjola


Share Obituary:

Send Flowers Print Obituary

Jackson William Pohjola, 77, of Gold Canyon, formerly of Berkley, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona, surrounded by his loving family.

Jack was born in Highland Park, MI on January 1, 1943 to William and Annie Esther (Moilanen) Pohjola. He grew up in a primarily Finnish neighborhood near 10 Mile and Evergreen in Southfield, MI. He played baseball, basketball and football, graduating from Southfield High School in 1961 and attended Lawrence Institute of Technology.

Jack met his future bride, Rona, at 9 Mile and Telegraph
when her ‘57 Chevy broke down and he came to the rescue. They were married on
September 10, 1965 and lived first in an apartment in Warren and moved to
Berkley, Michigan in 1971 where they raised their family. 

Jack was that dad who always
attended school events, drove on field trips and taught his girls how to play
softball. Jack walked both his girls down the aisle and danced with them at
their weddings.

He retired in 2002 after
working 38 years as a Tool and Die Maker at TRW in Sterling Heights. While at
TRW, he played on the softball team and was a member of UAW Local 247.

Jack and Rona retired to
Montesa in Gold Canyon, AZ, in 2006, where he played Texas hold ‘em,
shuffleboard, and water volleyball. He loved to drive, travel, take cruises,
listen to most music, compete daily in Jeopardy, and watch sports.

Jack is survived by his amazing wife of 54 years, Rona
(Kass) Pohjola of Gold Canyon, daughter Kate (Timothy) Andrade of Leamington,
Ontario, Canada, and daughter Karen (Blake) Johnson of Imlay City, Michigan. He
is also survived by his four adoring granddaughters, Veronica, Lily and Alice
Johnson, and Jennifleur Andrade, as well as his sister Doris (Geoff) Naisby, of
Boca Raton, Florida, and brother Jay Pohjola, many nieces and nephews, dozens
of cousins and a world of friends. Jack is predeceased by parents William and
Esther Pohjola, brother Jeffrey Pohjola (1968), and beloved in-laws, William
and Ruth Kass. 

A memorial gathering will be held in the spring in Berkley,
Michigan.

Share Obituary:

Send Flowers Print Obituary
  1. Kate Pohjola Andrade says:

    Memorials may be made to Make-A-Wish Michigan: https://secure2.wish.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=donate_now&chid=022-000

  2. Debby Janiszewski says:

    I am very sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. He was indeed a great father. What l remember most about Rona & Jack is what a wonderful marriage they had. They were always joking around.
    Jack will be greatly missed by all.
    RIP Jack

  3. David Anderson says:

    I worked with Jack for over 30 years and enjoyed his company immensely. I’m sorry about his passing and send my deepest sympathy. He was someone you could trust

  4. larry wise says:

    My neighbor, my friend, my classmate rest in piece.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *