We are very saddened to announce the death of Rolf Anderson, father, husband, friend and active community member.
Rolf left behind his children Leanne (Pete), Necole (Marwan); grandchildren Madisyn, Nick (Kenzie). His stepson Michael Hildebrandt (Sue). His brother Roland (Barb) and niece Lauren (Jamie) and nephew Luke. Also, many brother and sister in-laws.
He was predeceased by his father, Elmer, mother, Sara, many aunts and uncles and his beloved wife Carol, in 2021.
Rolf was born in Geta, Aland, an autonomous island region of Finland on September 21, 1947. At age 13, he immigrated to Canada.
His first home was the Mando camp on the Jones Road. He quickly learned English and made many lifelong friends. As a youth he enjoyed playing sports, especially soccer with local teams and excelled at electronics and anything mechanical.
With a penchant for anything electronic and a desire to run his own business, he attended George Brown College in the early 1970’s and graduated with the highest standing upon completion with a diploma in radio and television electronics. He worked under the mentorship of the late Bill Jones prior to starting his own business, Rolf’s TV.
Rolf excelled in his business and became the authorized dealer for Zenith TV’s for over 20 years. He also repaired pretty much any type of electronic device from radios and televisions to turn tables, speakers, alarm systems, you name it. He later also became the service technician for National Cash Registers as well as Lotto 649 machines. He worked tirelessly, even on the weekends and loved owning his own business and servicing the people in Kenora. Rolf could fix almost anything!
In 1977 Rolf married Diane Quinton and became father to her two young children, Leanne and Necole. Rolf influenced his girls with his tireless work ethic and his passion for nature and always extolling the importance of community service and pursuing higher education which both his daughters did. Many weekends were spent cross-country skiing in the winter and getting out boating and camping on Lake of the Woods in the summer.
He was a member of the Kenora Masonic Lodge. Freemasonry values of personal development, good works, and fellowship appealed to Rolf’s natural gifts. He achieved the rank of Worshipful Master at his lodge, and he was very focused on ensuring that his fellow Masons had a good smorgasbord to enjoy after meetings. The rest is a secret.
In 1995, Rolf married Carol Finch at their beloved camp on Storm Bay Road. She got Rolf involved in the Lions Club – he enjoyed that and convinced him to “foster” dogs with A Dog’s Life. He spent 26 happy years with Carol hosting parties, entertaining friends, traveling. He also enjoyed a close, loving relationship with her extended family. Unfortunately, Rolf lost Carol in 2021 after a short illness. Devasting for him.
He survived the loss of his beloved dogs: Rex, Kemo, Toby, Cody, and Spot. His last dog Sonny is still with family and living in Ottawa with Leanne. One of his friends used to say he wanted to be reincarnated as one of Rolf’s dogs to be spoiled forever. He always called his dogs “the suck” because he new that he spoiled them rotten!
Rolf was adventurous, kind and generous, always willing to lend a hand when needed, which is why he had so many friends. He spent many years going on his famous fishing trips with the guys, many of which he was friends with for over 50 years.
Rolf will be very missed by everyone who knew him.
A celebration of life will take place September 17, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Rolf to It’s A Dog’s Life details at this website: https://adogslife.cc/