George Paavola

George E. Paavola passed away in Post Falls on July 18, 2016, at Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene.

George was born on April 1, 1935, in Finland to parents Wayne and Anna Paavola. When he was 6 months old, his mother traveled with him by ship to New York, then by train to California to join his father. The family moved to Clatskanie, Ore., in 1949 and after high school George moved to Portland to work for several years. The next move was Hayward, Calif., where he was a police officer, for a short time. Back in Oregon, he was a long distance truck driver for many years. He traveled to Finland in 1989 where he met Helena whom he married in a 500-year-old stone church in Helsinki in 1992. He Moved to Montana in 1994 and after several years he moved to Post Falls.

George made others feel good with his sense of humor. He enjoyed RV travel and was interested in world affairs. He was also a member of Lifeway Chapel.

George is survived by his wife, Helena; daughter Linda Israel; three grandchildren; his sister, Sonja Kennedy of Canby, Ore.; brother Willie Paavola of Lavina, Mont.; and numerous cousins in Finland.