I am so sad to hear abot my good friend jaan- ‘moose”, I just was looking up old friends and found this,brings tears to my face he was a great man and friend condolences to entire family I’m so sorry and heartbrokn .

I met Jaan in September of 1982 in Timmins at the Dome project, where we both worked for Redpath. He had been there for a while and I had just finished another project and was transferred there. Jaan showed me the ropes. He had a great understanding of “how things worked” in the real world and was known for getting things done. The bunkhouse was at the minesite and not far from South Porcupine, so we got out to the Airporter every now and then for quarts and conversation. We had everything figured out back then. Since first meeting Jaan I had the pleasure of working with him at Redpath in North Bay, then at BLM, and more recently with the Cementation group. We were able to get together a few times outside of work. There was a trip to the Dominican Republic many years ago and there were the weekends at Eric’s camp which were always entertaining. Jaan was popular with the miners because he understood the work so well and was able to make jobs successful.This also put him in the Client’s good books. He was very knowledgeable, good practical knowledge, about our industry. Jaan was a good friend and I will miss him.

I clearly remember Bob Brown walking into Bob Bunclark’s office at Redpath many years ago. “I just hired a big Finlander in a pin striped suite”. Well that was the start of a great adventure and a great friendship. Bob (Bunclark) was (is) a great entertainer (host) so he invited Jaan around for a few drinks. One of us (must have been Bob) told Jaan, that we would show him how miners drank — first big error! I don’t remember much about the evening other than being told I was a wimp “have another beer” a refrain I was to hear again and again for the next 30 years. One of Lynn’s first memories of Jaan was rescuing me from a bar in North Bay and Jaan calling after us “Wimp, have another beer”. Jaan and I were roomies on a couple of occasions. The first was in Timmins when we did Dome #8 shaft for the Red Army. (We shared a house with the famous Alex Kennedy — yes we were stupid.) My best memory from that time was the project manager bitching to Jaan that, as the construction manager he was responsible to put an air conditioner in the office trailer. This went back and forth for a while — Jaan in the mean time was busy – he was slip forming the head frame. Anyway it climaxed in a meeting where the manager again bitched (yes George you bitched) about the air conditioner. I could see Jaan getting red in the face – up he got, left the room, returned two minutes later with a chain saw, fired it up and proceeded to cut a rectangular hole in the trailer wall ( cutting through power cables ) ” There’s your ****** air conditioner” and left the room. It was fine after the smoke cleared! Another highlight of Timmins (yes there were a couple) was drinking in the airport hotel. We had Head frames ( Quart Bottles) and Hoist rooms (Stubbies) from which we re- designed the mine site. This was my first introduction to the amazing organized mind of Mr. Aaviku. The logic was astounding, what Jaan numbered off and predicted came to pass with amazing accuracy. This was my introduction to “the Plan”. Mr. Aaviku’s “Plan”. I saw it many times on many jobs, always logical, always thought through. The “Plan” made lots of money for lots of miners and great margins for some lucky contractors. I remember when we left Timmins, we were driving to North Bay. Jaan insisted that we take a detour to K. L., specifically the Princess Hotel. We went into the bar ordered a beer, then Jaan insisted we sat in a certain seat. It was away from the center of the bar, almost in a corner. I asked why the **** are we sitting here. Jaan said nothing, just looked up at the wall above my head. We sat and drank, Jaan looked up at the wall and looked up at the wall. Eventually I had enough and said “what are you looking at” he said nothing, but continued to look. So I got up and looked as well —– I had been sitting below a picture of the “Moose” and his hockey team, the same one posted among the pictures on this site. We again lived together in North Bay, many fond memories of that. One that sticks in my mind was a “Skating” party we had (we were on the lake and had a rink). Late in the evening the local constabulary came to the door to complain about the noise. Jaan went to the door to deal with it, all went well till the constable saw that Jaan had a lovely lady handcuffed to him — it went downhill from there! We had many adventures over the years from Timmins to Zimbabwe, to Bathurst, to BC, to Lupin, to Afton, to Bissett, to Diavik, to Venezuela, to Brandon — Where Jaan sat in a bar with a $2.00 bill stuck to his fore head saying ” Pick Me” and ” How do you like us so far?” I will miss the big fellow, I will miss his advice, his smarts and most of all his friendship. Yes buddy I am a Wimp, I could never keep up with you.

Jaan, I miss you so much. I remember the day you were in a business meeting and I was doing the ballerina outside the boardroom and you came out laughing so hard but was so mad at me you weren’t sure what to do. and the day I came to work and you a a pig flying over my desk like pigs could fly, or when you stole Waldo and took this little pink stuffed fish on your next advanture….. I miss you my friend and always will. I want you back Love always Chrissy

I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the Aaviku family. I have some great memories of Jaan and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Jaan. Our heartfelt condolences to Dawn and the family. Jaan was certainly bigger than life and was held in great respect. Rough, gruff, expected no more of people than he would expect from himself. You’ll be missed big fella!

My heartfelt condolence to Dawn and the Aaviku family. Jaan certainly was character “bigger than life” itself. You will be missed big guy!

It has been quite a number of years since Jaan and I worked together or for that matter shared a beer(s) together. There were many challenging experiences and good times that I still remember with great clarity and will cherish. It was an honor to know Jaan and my sincere sympathies go out to his family. As always I know he put up a strong fight without a single complaint. My prayers are with him.

Dawn and Aaviku family, please accept our sincerest sympathies. I had the pleasure of working with Jaan in Sudbury and before that on a mining job in Montana. He was one of a kind, a mining man to the core.

My deepest sympathies to all Jaan’s family and friends.

There are never the right words to express the sadness we feel for the loss of an old friend. Our thoughts are with you. Ellen and Gerry Virginiatown

My sympathies to his family

We offer our sincere condolences to Jaan’s family. It has been a long time since we raised shots of vodka together as Estos sometimes do. While people drift apart, memories remind us of good times once had. Puhka rauhuselt pikk poiss! Luule & Uno Tiisler Sudbury

Hi Dawn So sorry to hear of your loss. Take Care Sincerely Carole Hunnisett North Bay, Ontario (realtor)

Our deepest condolences to Dawn and Aaviku Family

Dawn stay strong. I will miss my old buddy. He was someone that most looked up to as he was an eternal mining man but we mostly looked up to Jaaner because he just simply was a great person. Jaaner may be gone to heaven but his spirits will always be us. Everyone must keep his spirits alive. God bless the man that was bigger than life. Sincerely Pedro

Hi Dawn and Family I am very sorry to here about Jaan He was a man that we will never forget and no one will ever replace He will be remembered by us all and remenbered in our prayers If there is ever anything I can do to help let me know Thinking of you and the family D.A

Hi Dawn and family, Jaan was the one who convinced us to go west – and led us to the “mountain of marbles” as he put it – then proceeded to help us climb it. He will be greatly missed, both as a leader and a friend. Fred and Michelle

So very sorry to hear of the passing of “the Big Guy” so many memories, we spent a lot of time in very close proximity over the years on different job sites and a smarter more loyal man to his friends could never be found….. Good-bye my friend you are going to be missed…. Paul

Dear Dawn and family, So sorry to hear of your loss. I had the privilege of knowing Jaan, through my work at Keystone Travel. He always cherished his Aeroplan upgrade certificates. I will always remember the time he was wait-listed for a business upgrade and when he asked what his chances of getting it, I told him, 99.9%. It did not come threw and he waited in Toronto for the next flight, in order to fly business. Afterwards it became an automatic question whenever he was wait-listed. I would respond, for others 99.9%, for you Jaan, probably less than 10%. However, I believe that for the most part he did get upgraded. His luggage got lost once, en route to Diavik, but that was another story. Well, Jaan as you undertook this last journey among the stars above, I hope you got First Class. You earned it, and Dawn, my thoughts are with you. Viviane

Dawn, Nic, We golfed , quit smoking , played guitar, cooked, travelled, worked, laughed and he looked out for me, I’m so sorry he is gone , I will miss my friend , Pat

So sorry to hear of Jaan’s passing. He was a great friend of mine and ours, in two different chapters of our life’s. He had a great sense of humor and was always their offering to help out… RIP Jaan

I really enjoyed working with Jaan. He was one of the most organized people I’ve ever known. The smooth start up of the BHP-Billiton project is a direct result of Jaan’s abilities. I was surprised to hear that Jaan had lost his battle with cancer. He did mention it in passing but didn’t dwell on it. I had no idea that it was so serious. My condolences go to his mother and family.

We send our deepest sympathies to Nic and the entire Aaviku family.

We are very sorry to learn of your loss. Our thoughts to Nic and Nathan and the rest of your family during this difficult time.

My condolences to Dawn and to the Aaviku family. I had the privilege of knowing Jaan for almost 30 years and valued his friendship. He was a credit to our profession and made a real difference in our industry. He is gone too young and will be greatly missed.

My condolences go to Dawn, Lauren and the rest of Jaan’s family. I was never scared when he growled at me. Me and my family are here if you need anything.

So sorry for your loss. The Aru family have so many good memories from V-Town and Larder Lake that involved Jaan. Ingrid (godmother) and Evald remember them all and will remember you forever. They say life is not fair and puhka pikk poiss. xox Ingrid and Evald Aru Tiina and family Linda and family

To Dawn, Brynn, & Nic: It is so sad that Jaan had to leave us so early. I worked with Jaan at Lupin and at Totten. We will all remember the Inco Xmas Party when he was continuously tricked by the Magician. He was known all over the mining community and he will be missed. Ron and Monica Javorsky

I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of an amazing man. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to have fond memories of Jaan. I’d like to thank Jaan and Dawn for helping me in a difficult time in my life, I hope I can be there for you when you need it also. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. He will be missed terribly xoxox

Linda, Vello, Mike, Ann and their families. Love lives on forever in each memory and thought of those who’ve shared our lives and all the happiness they’ve brought. Love lives on forever, it will never fade away. In our hearts our loved ones are with us every day. Sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our thoughts always and know we share your grief.

Jaan was a great leader not only in the Mining Profession but as a Leaders of Men. It was a privilege to have know and worked with Jaan and he will be greatly missed by all that knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. Jim Burns and all the PASS associates

To Dawn and the Girls. Also to Jaan’s Mum, Sister and Brothers. Our condolences for your loss, we like you are going to miss “the big fellow”

From John and Lynn Boyd Our condolences also to the boys Nic and Nathan

Our condolences to the Aaviku family. We were saddened to hear of Jaan’s passing. Jaan was better known to us as Moose during our Northern College days. Although we hadn’t seen him since college we thought about Moose often when we would reminisce about both the Northern College Huskies’ hockey and fastball teams. Moose was one of those rare people you meet that you could never forget. He was always larger than life and fun to be around. He will be sorrowly missed by all who knew him.

Sorry to hear of Jaan’s passing. Glad to know he was held in such high regard by his mining colleagues. Jaan was two years younger than me but we shared hockey (both defencemen) and fastball (both catchers). He was much more accomplished at both than me. I wish I could put names on more of the faces in the team pictures from our boyhood in V-town but I certainly recognize Greg Gray, Bill Hrushowy, Bob & the Bills Jacko (senior and junior), Dimitri Kowbassa and, of course, the Moose. Condolences to all Jaan’s family and friends.