Obituary of Art Heikkila

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Art Heikkila at the young age of 51, following a courageous 21 month battle with brain cancer. Art leaves behind his wife Sonja (nee Wischniwsky) and his daughter Stephanie and her husband Andrew Jackson and his son Roman and his wife Katie. He will be sadly missed by his extended family – parents Marion and Ron of Haileybury, and siblings Gail, Randy, Lenny, Peggy, Greg and Tracy and their families, and his sister-in-law Heidi Wischniwsky. A special thanks to Greg and Lynn Heikkila and their sons Kai and Tanner, who provided so much joy and support throughout his lengthy battle. Art spent his career as a mechanic first working for 22 years with Speedy Muffler King where he met some wonderful life-long friends. Art was the youngest manager of a million dollar shop, taking over the Richmond Hill store when he was just 23 years old. Art worked in Speedy shops in various locations around the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa and Orleans. Art then moved on to OC Transpo where he took great pleasure in his work on the city busses including the 60 foot articulated busses. He often pointed out busses he had worked on – always with pride and respect. The family would like to thank Drs Sinclair and Gertler and all of their staff, the nurses and colleagues at the Ottawa Hospital, as well as the coaches at the Maplesoft Centre, all of whom who walked along this challenging path with Art and his family – providing honest, clear information and tremendous support. Art will be missed by family, friends, work colleagues and associates, but mostly by his wife with whom he celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary just days before his passing. Rest in peace Art, and Godspeed. Relatives and friends will be received at Heritage Funeral Complex, 1250 Trim Rd., Orléans, on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will follow in the Heritage Chapel at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Cancer Society or brain tumor research. Condolences may be addressed at: www.heritagefh.ca