Kaukolin, Dennis John

Dennis John Kaukolin, 77 years old, of Sudbury, Ontario, passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

Dennis was born in Sudbury on July 29, 1947. He graduated from Sheridan Tech and continued on to receive a degree in Auto Mechanics from Sault College.

Dennis was married to Debbie (Palomaki) on June 1, 1974; they were married for 50 incredible years!

Dennis worked as an auto mechanic for the Ministry of Natural Resources for close to 25 years, and then worked as a full-time tow truck driver at CAA and a driver for Garson Taxi for many years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, carpentry, and gardening. He was also known for saying, “Debbie, get the recipe” when he tasted something good. He loved his weekly saunas and trips to the in-laws camp on Wahnapitae Lake. He had a patient and kind demeanor when it came time to teach his children to drive and then haul them out of ditches, so his connections to CAA were valuable. He loved telling stories and reminiscing about the old days with family and friends.

Dennis will be missed by his wife Debbie, children Andrea (Derek McKenzie) and David, grandchildren Hayden, Kyra, and Teija, sisters Carol (Reijo Viitala) and Frances (Arnold Zimmerman). His beloved in-laws include Brenda (Ken Lafleur), Susan (Brian Kalmbach), Larry Palomaki, and Karen Thornton (Blair Hamilton). He will be fondly remembered by many nephews and nieces, cousins, and aunts and uncles. 

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents Oiva and Ethel Kaukolin, parents-in-law Veikko and Mary Palomaki, daughter Eila Kaukolin, and brothers-in-law Veikko Palomaki, Robert Palomaki, and Steven Thornton. 

There will be a Celebration of Life for Dennis on Sunday, October 27th at the Falconbridge Legion, 66 Edison Road, between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. A private interment will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to a charity of your choice. Dennis’ family wishes to thank the nursing staff of Health Sciences North - Fourth Floor, and Bayshore Healthcare nurses for their compassion and care.