Paul Hounsell

Paul Crawford Hounsell

March 14, 1959 – June 3, 2022

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Paul Hounsell. He died suddenly at home, while peacefully sleeping, on Friday June 3rd 2022 in his 64th year. He was an intelligent and thoughtful man who always showed great respect and compassion for others. He was an avid reader, thinker, and problem-solver; and had a great sense of humor.

Paul was born and grew up in Catalina, Newfoundland. He graduated from the Memorial University of Newfoundland. Paul lived and worked in Ottawa area for nearly 30 years and in Finland for over half a decade.  He taught conversational English at the University of Joensuu, Finland, and worked as Linux/Unix systems administrator both sides of the Atlantic. While living on the mainland, one of his many passions was sailing on the Ottawa River. While living in Finland one of his passions was riding his motorcycle with his wife Maritta along meandering roads and through the forests.

Paul had a deep-rooted passion for his native Newfoundland, and while living in Ottawa area he spent most of his summer holidays visiting his parents in Burnside, Newfoundland, for quarter of a century; very often he was accompanied with his wife Maritta. The smell of the sea air, the rowing on the ocean, and “the rock” drew him back there year after year.

Paul will forever live in our memories as a loving husband, son and son-in-law, brother and brother-in-law, uncle and uncle-in-law, nephew, grand-child, God-father, friend, neighbor and co-worker; who was loved and be sadly missed by all. He is deeply mourned by Maritta Saharinen, his soul-mate and loving wife of nearly 32 years, along with his parents Cluny and Sarah Hounsell, his siblings Irving (Bertha), Jackie, Leon (Paula), and Chris, brothers-in-law Pertti (Tarja) and Markku (Sirpa), nieces, nephews and God-children; and his extended Hounsell and Saharinen families and friends both here in Canada and in Finland.

Private celebrations of Paul’s life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your chosen charities.