Remebering Charles' father

Venlear Joseph "Jim Alkula, circa 1933

Note: this was written by Charles' sister, Sandy:

My father, Venlear Joseph ‘Jim’ Alkula was born 95 years ago today.

The Alkula family (Emil, Hilda and daughters Dagmar and Jenny) travelled from Lepparonta Province, Finland and arrived at Ellis Island in 1902. Emil and Hilda welcomed son Everett Alkula (my Dad’s father and my grandfather), born 7/21/1904 in Ashtabula, Ohio, USA

My Father’s mother was born Adabelle Friend on 7/1/1911 also in Ashtabula, Ohio. Not sure of too much lineage from Adabelle’s side of the family. My siblings and I have done some research and have intentions of more. My father has a sister, Judy (Judith Rainery) who still lives in Painesville Ohio.

My father was a very hard worker. He quit school at the age of 16 to go work at the Industrial Rayon Corporation in Painesville, Ohio. His wage at hiring was 63.5 cents an hour. Unbelievably, when he left The Rayon’ after 23 years he was making a whole $1.87 an hour.

He and my mother relocated to Largo, Florida where my Dad continued to work two jobs, because that is what men did in those days. After two years in Florida, he was hired by a small family electrical company, S&S Electric. If I am remembering correctly, he was the first person outside the Smith family to be hired. Ironically, he also worked at S&S Electric for 23 years until his death in 1991.

Unfortunately when he left the Industrial Rayon Corporation in 1966, it did not leave him. He died of cancer in May 1991, one of thousands of people who worked in that environment who died of cancer of one form or another.

Since he died 31 years ago at the very young age of 64, it is hard to imagine what he would be like as a 95 year ‘old man’. He will always be 64 to us. Many remember him as a rather gruff man who spoke his mind. In reality, while he was very strict with us, he was very soft hearted and loved his wife and children without question.

In his eyes, each of his grandchildren was perfect and unique and loved having them around him. Oh how I wish he could meet his great-grandchildren. Two of my grandsons have carried the blond hair-blue eyed Finnish tendencies, and Christian even has his great-grandpa’s cowlick!

I am, along with my Mother, brothers Joe, Charles and Dale and sister Jackie are remembering my Dad today, with a smile and love.