Part 1/3: Memoirs of Matti Hopia: 1948–1951

Edited by Jenn Ashton

Abstrakti

Matti Hopia was born on November 2nd, 1906 in Viipuri, Finland. He was one of nine children. Matti left home at an early age, and spent most of his young adult life serving in the Army. He was in two world wars, and one civil war. Matti married Elma Tanskanen and then in 1948, along with their 7 year old adopted son Pentti, and several other families, they bought a ship and fl ed Finland. They were in search of a free life in another country. After brief stops in Denmark, England and Africa, they reached the shores of Venezuela and stayed there for two years. By this time, most of the other families who had been on board, went back to Finland or moved to other countries. Matti worked as a laborer while in South America, and his wife Elma, worked as a domestic housekeeper. Pentti at this time attended school.

In 1951 Matti and his family arrived in Canada. They moved to Port Alberni, where Matti worked as a mill worker, farmer, carpenter and logger. In the early 60’s Mattie and Elma moved to Campbell River and in 1967 Elma passed away.

Matti retired to Victoria, where he lived until his death in 1988 at the age of 82.