Leonard Kantola
March 15, 1951 - September 5, 2026
In Loving Memory
Leonard Kantola
With heavy hearts, the family announces the passing of Leonard Matthew Kantola, aged 75 years. Leonard passed away on September 5, peacefully with his son by his side, leaving behind a legacy defined by his hands-on craftsmanship, his passion for mechanics and aviation, appreciation for fishing and the outdoors and his love for his family.
Born March 15, 1951 in Port Arthur, Leonard grew up on Victoria Ave. until his marriage to Lynne Lessard (Glen) where he then lived in Thunder Bay’s Northwood Area.
A lifelong handyman and skilled mechanic by trade, Leonard was happiest when solving a tough engine problem or bringing a complex project to life. Whether he was building airplanes from the ground up or painstakingly building his beloved cabin at Larry’s Cabins at Sandstone Lake, Leonard approached everything with determination, ingenuity and a true craftsman’s pride. The cabin at Sandstone Lake was particularly special—a place built with his own hands where countless memories were shared with those he loved. His cabin will continue to host family & friends.
Larry’s Cabins was a huge part of Leonard’s life; he enjoyed taking care of the grounds on the riding lawn mower, keeping the golf greens perfect and doing his best to ensure the campers had a good time while they were at Sandstone. Tinkering in the sheds on motors and the heavy equipment, using the sawmill to make boards for projects on and off the property and spending as much time as he could on the water fishing and discovering new lakes with Micheal were some of his favourite hobbies.
He moved to British Columbia in 2021 and a new chapter began.
Leonard will be missed by his loving children, Krista White (Ryan) and Corey (Lianne). He was a proud grandfather to Taylor, Kai (Shawna), Aurora, Star and Tennyson. Leonard was excited to become a Great-Grandpa, looking forward with love to the arrival of Kai and Shawna’s baby due this December.
He is survived by his brothers Ken (Brenda), Roy and John (Suzanne) and will be missed by his nieces & nephews Kris, Michael (Genelyn), Jessy (Colin) & Danielle (Gab) as well as many friends from Larry’s Cabins, who held a special place in his heart. Leonard was predeceased by his parents, Laurie and Laila Kantola, and his brother Andrew.
Leonard’s life was built on hard work, family and doing what he loved. His presence, stories and the fruits of his labor will continue to surround and inspire his family for generations to come.
Special thanks to the teams at Hillside Center & Sun Rivers Community for their ongoing care and support.
A Celebration of Leonard’s Life will be announced by the family at a later date, to be held in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Arrangements entrusted to
Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-554-2324
Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services:
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Comments: 4
We have so many fond memories of Leonard. Lots of really funny ones too. His presence was missed the first summer he wasn’t at the lake and we continued to miss him. We raised a glass (or 2 or 3) in his honour around the campfire last weekend and shared stories. Remembering how much work he did to make Larry’s Cabins the place it is today; a place we now share with our own grandchildren who say it’s their favourite place to be. We send our deepest condolences to all of you. He will be remembered in the memories we share.
So sorry to hear of Leonard’s passing. He was a super nice guy to Jay and I, often joining us for dinner when we went in the fall and winter months when we camped at Larry’s and he was the caretaker. Sorry to the Kantola family for your loss.
Leonard Matthew Kantola, (aka MyDad ) aged 75 years, passed away on September 5, leaving behind a legacy as extraordinary, wild, and unforgettable as the life he lived.
My dad was truly an amazing man and a pure mastermind—a high-end mechanic, plumber, welder, artist, and absolute legend. If it could be built, fixed, or driven fast, he was the one to do it. He built a plane straight out of a box, crafted a cabin from scratch using his own sawmill, built an airstrip out at Sandstone Lake, and constructed most of the cabins, docks, and the sauna at Larry’s Cabins. He even set up gravity-fed lines to provide running water for all the campers. He could barefoot waterski, race cars he didn’t even own, and fly planes equipped with floats, tires, or skis depending on where the adventure took us.
Living with my dad from age 13 into my mid-twenties meant living a true gypsy lifestyle. Moving from Thunder Bay to Coquitlam and back again wasn’t always conventional, but it gave me character and memories that few could ever imagine.
Dad taught me how to drive everything with an engine—cars, boats, skidoos, and tractors. He taught me how to fish, how to hike deep in the woods, how to do front flips, and even how to “talk to aliens” with the hilarious noises he made. He was wildly charismatic, funny, and larger than life. Life with him was constant adrenaline—whether we were riding skidoos through flames on the ice, or flying in his one-seater ultralight with me squeezed in the back sitting right on a gas tank. Later, when he bought a two-seater, he’d pretend the engine died mid-flight just to give me a scare before expertly gliding us back down.
Some of my fondest memories were on the water and the ice. Sitting on frozen lakes, listening to the ice shift, or breaking trails to the upper lakes—where, at just 7 years old, I was already driving a skidoo and towing gear behind me. He gave me a 12-foot aluminum boat with a 25-horsepower motor, and at 6 to 8 years old, I was out driving that boat with rocks weighed down in the front, towing my little brother on a knee board. We spent our days hunting for crayfish, swimming out at camp, and truly living the dream.
Dad, I know you would be so incredibly proud of the your grandkids. Aurora graduated top of her class from the University of Victoria in Nursing, Health, and Science. Star has overcome so much and is truly amazing in every single way; I know your heart would beam with pride for her. And Tennyson shares your deep passion for cars, motors, and flying—I love telling him stories about your wild driving and how you took to the skies.
I love you, Dad. I will always love you, and I will continue to speak to you in my soul.
Rest in peace, Dad. Forever your loving daughter xoxo
My deepest condolences to the entire family. It was a true pleasure knowing such a great man for so many years, and it feels like only yesterday that we shared memories together. My family and children will cherish the many wonderful memories we have of him. It is always heartbreaking to lose someone who lived such a meaningful life and touched the hearts of so many. May his memory bring you comfort and strength during this difficult time.