Pertti ‘Peter’ Olavi Reijula

Peter was GLEN ELLYN, IL – Pertti “Peter” Olavi Reijula, age 70, of Glen Ellyn, IL, peacefully passed to eternal rest on Saturday, March 11th, 2023.

Peter was born on October 10th, 1952, in Lahti, Finland. He met the love of his life, Susan Marie Augustine, his beloved “S”, at Northern Michigan University. She worked in the library, while Peter enjoyed many nights at Andy’s Bar in the camaraderie of his NMU ski team. He excelled in Nordic skiing and was a member of the Finnish National ski jumping team in his youth, placing 5th in the World Junior Skiing Championships. At NMU, he was the 1973 NCAA Champion in the Nordic Combined event and was elected to the NMU Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. Peter received his degree in Business Administration from Northern Michigan University in 1976. He continued his education after NMU, receiving an MBA in Marketing from Michigan State University two years later. He was proud to receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Business from Northern Michigan University in 2005, where he gave the commencement address and inspired his audience to strive for “life-long learning,” and to “embrace change”.

Peter and Susan were married on June 19th, 1976, in Crystal Falls, Michigan surrounded by family and friends, and that celebration continued throughout a loving marriage of over 46 years. Their incredible partnership spanned the globe with career opportunities in East Lansing, Michigan, White Plains, New York, Gavle, Sweden, Bradenton, Florida and Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Peter found passion in marketing and business and experienced early success in his parents’ grocery store and through an internship with Proctor & Gamble in Finland. His drive, intellect, and strong leadership skills fueled his career progression and increasing responsibility with General Foods Corporation, Tropicana Products, and Alberto-Culver Company.

He joined McCain Foods in 1994, rising to the role of President of the U.S. Foodservice business with annual sales of over $1 billion. He continued to find career success as a food industry executive and CEO leading turnaround and profit improvement efforts with both private equity and private companies including Great Lakes Packaging and Dickinson Frozen Foods. He advised and consulted with many in the food industry even after his diagnosis with ALS in 2013.

While meaningful work was always important, the absolute joy of Peter’s life was his family. He was a devoted husband and father, who loved his wife and three daughters fiercely. He coached Glen Ellyn Park District soccer for a decade and provided endless support and encouragement for his girls, whether before an exam, soccer game, tennis match, track meet, basketball game, or dance performance. Despite his career demands, he never missed family dinners and important events for his daughters. Family travels to Finland, Alaska, the Lillehammer and Atlanta Olympics, Ireland, and beyond were lovingly documented by his trusty cameras, even if nearly confiscated by Italian police at the Vatican. He was the absolute source of spot-on career advice for family and friends. His grandchildren adored their beloved “Pappa” and his zest for jokes, Wordles and puzzles, the endless stories read, and his enthusiasm for the stickers placed all over his wheelchair.

Ever hospitable and always joyous in his self-proclamation as “semi-host,” Peter was at his best when surrounded by family and friends. He had the great gift of making others feel welcomed, comfortable, and loved. His great sense of humor and quick wit brought laughter to all. His wisdom and perspective on life allowed him to confront the challenges of ALS with his trademark grace and sisu- the Finnish quality of inner strength and perseverance.

In honor of Peter, please raise a robust glass of red wine with a cheer of “Kippis.” Laugh often, travel together, and tell your family members “I love you always.”

He is survived by the love of his life, Susan M. Reijula; daughters, Katie (Ed) Wasilewski, Lisa Reijula (Brendan Delaney) and Erica Reijula (Tim Stawicki); grandchildren, Kira and Peter Wasilewski and Maxwell Stawicki; siblings, Pirjo (Vesa) Heino and Antti Reijula; siblings-in-law, Mary Lou Gagala, David (Joan) Augustine, Anne (Todd) Dixon and Markku Pikkarainen, and beloved nieces and nephews, Laura (Gordon) Kessler, Sara (Steve) Schulz, David (Lisa) Augustine, Amy Augustine, Amber (Ryan) Hasenbank, Dain Dixon, Jami Pikkarainen, Topi Reijula, Mimi Reijula, Ville Heino, Vilma Heino, and Venla Heino.

He will join his parents, Torsti and Terttu “Kyllikki” Reijula; sister, Pike Pikkarainen and brother-in-law David Gagala in eternal rest.

A visitation will be held at Leonard Memorial Funeral Home, 565 Duane Street, Glen Ellyn, IL on Friday, March 17th, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Daniel the Prophet, 100 West Loop Road, Wheaton, IL on Saturday, March 18th, 2023, at 11:30am.

To honor Peter and in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations made to the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), Team Gleason, or the Les Turner ALS Foundation.born on October 10th, 1952, in Lahti, Finland. He met the love of his life, Susan Marie Augustine, his beloved “S”, at Northern Michigan University. She worked in the library, while Peter enjoyed many nights at Andy’s Bar in the camaraderie of his NMU ski team. He excelled in Nordic skiing and was a member of the Finnish National ski jumping team in his youth, placing 5th in the World Junior Skiing Championships. At NMU, he was the 1973 NCAA Champion in the Nordic Combined event and was elected to the NMU Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. Peter received his degree in Business Administration from Northern Michigan University in 1976. He continued his education after NMU, receiving an MBA in Marketing from Michigan State University two years later. He was proud to receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Business from Northern Michigan University in 2005, where he gave the commencement address and inspired his audience to strive for “life-long learning,” and to “embrace change”.

Peter and Susan were married on June 19th, 1976, in Crystal Falls, Michigan surrounded by family and friends, and that celebration continued throughout a loving marriage of over 46 years. Their incredible partnership spanned the globe with career opportunities in East Lansing, Michigan, White Plains, New York, Gavle, Sweden, Bradenton, Florida and Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Peter found passion in marketing and business and experienced early success in his parents’ grocery store and through an internship with Proctor & Gamble in Finland. His drive, intellect, and strong leadership skills fueled his career progression and increasing responsibility with General Foods Corporation, Tropicana Products, and Alberto-Culver Company.

He joined McCain Foods in 1994, rising to the role of President of the U.S. Foodservice business with annual sales of over $1 billion. He continued to find career success as a food industry executive and CEO leading turnaround and profit improvement efforts with both private equity and private companies including Great Lakes Packaging and Dickinson Frozen Foods. He advised and consulted with many in the food industry even after his diagnosis with ALS in 2013.

While meaningful work was always important, the absolute joy of Peter’s life was his family. He was a devoted husband and father, who loved his wife and three daughters fiercely. He coached Glen Ellyn Park District soccer for a decade and provided endless support and encouragement for his girls, whether before an exam, soccer game, tennis match, track meet, basketball game, or dance performance. Despite his career demands, he never missed family dinners and important events for his daughters. Family travels to Finland, Alaska, the Lillehammer and Atlanta Olympics, Ireland, and beyond were lovingly documented by his trusty cameras, even if nearly confiscated by Italian police at the Vatican. He was the absolute source of spot-on career advice for family and friends. His grandchildren adored their beloved “Pappa” and his zest for jokes, Wordles and puzzles, the endless stories read, and his enthusiasm for the stickers placed all over his wheelchair.

Ever hospitable and always joyous in his self-proclamation as “semi-host,” Peter was at his best when surrounded by family and friends. He had the great gift of making others feel welcomed, comfortable, and loved. His great sense of humor and quick wit brought laughter to all. His wisdom and perspective on life allowed him to confront the challenges of ALS with his trademark grace and sisu- the Finnish quality of inner strength and perseverance.

In honor of Peter, please raise a robust glass of red wine with a cheer of “Kippis.” Laugh often, travel together, and tell your family members “I love you always.”

He is survived by the love of his life, Susan M. Reijula; daughters, Katie (Ed) Wasilewski, Lisa Reijula (Brendan Delaney) and Erica Reijula (Tim Stawicki); grandchildren, Kira and Peter Wasilewski and Maxwell Stawicki; siblings, Pirjo (Vesa) Heino and Antti Reijula; siblings-in-law, Mary Lou Gagala, David (Joan) Augustine, Anne (Todd) Dixon and Markku Pikkarainen, and beloved nieces and nephews, Laura (Gordon) Kessler, Sara (Steve) Schulz, David (Lisa) Augustine, Amy Augustine, Amber (Ryan) Hasenbank, Dain Dixon, Jami Pikkarainen, Topi Reijula, Mimi Reijula, Ville Heino, Vilma Heino, and Venla Heino.

He will join his parents, Torsti and Terttu “Kyllikki” Reijula; sister, Pike Pikkarainen and brother-in-law David Gagala in eternal rest.

A visitation will be held at Leonard Memorial Funeral Home, 565 Duane Street, Glen Ellyn, IL on Friday, March 17th, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Daniel the Prophet, 100 West Loop Road, Wheaton, IL on Saturday, March 18th, 2023, at 11:30am.

To honor Peter and in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations made to the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), Team Gleason, or the Les Turner ALS Foundation.