WEST PARIS – Ellis Matti Kahkonen, 88, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Dec. 27, 2007. By his side were his wife, daughter and grandchildren.

He was born on Aug. 30, 1919, in West Paris to parents, Lempi Eva Katrina (Heikkinen) Kahkonen and Matti Lennati Kahkonen. He supported his family by working on the family farm. Later, he joined the Navy and served in the Pacific during World War II. After he returned to Maine, he met and then married Eleanor M. Hammond of Farmington on May 25, 1952.

He worked hard all of his life: he started his own gravel business with brothers, Eino and Edward and worked at Wilner’s Wood Products for many years, retiring from there in 1981.

After retirement, he traveled with family to California, Louisiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington, Washington, D.C., and Hong Kong.

For his 70th birthday, he traveled with his family to Scandinavia to visit Finland, the birthplace of his parents. But he always loved to return home to Maine, the place he was born, raised and lived his entire life.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Eleanor of South Paris; son, Dr. Martti Kahkonen and daughter-in-law, Monique, of Miamisburg, Ohio; daughter, Margo Ferguson and son-in-law, John, of Battle Ground, Wash.; grandchildren, Mari and Greg Cheney of Lynnwood, Wash., Alicia Ferguson of Battle Ground, Wash., and Aaron Ferguson of Seattle, Wash.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Edward and Eino Kahkonen.

We look forward to seeing you again in heaven, Poppop. We love and miss you.