CANTERBURY, Conn. — As we continue to celebrate our Canterbury Finnish Hall’s 100th anniversary, this milestone reminds me of my early exposure to the Finnish immigrant region of Eastern Connecticut. My family during my very early youth lived in a community without any Finnish immigrants. In the mid 1950s we moved to Brooklyn, Connecticut where Finnish immigrants had thrived for several decades.
The Finnish Lutherans in the area were led by Pastor Viljo Heiman who visited Brooklyn and Voluntown locations twice monthly along with his organist. He made the trip from his Worcester, MA Lutheran Church for many decades. Other Finnish ministers in the region included Rev Valkio of Carver, MA and Rev Reino Hiironen of Brooklyn who also owned a travel business in Danielson. The larger community of Danielson also included Koski’s Bakery, United Cooperative Farmers branch from the Fitchburg UCF organization, and nearby Lehtonens Hatchery. Dr. Andrew Laakso, a family physician, was a partner in the Danielson Clinic.
In Brooklyn, the local grocery store, Brooklyn IGA was owned by Emil Leeman and his brother Al and family. In the same neighborhood, Leo and Helen Kauranen owned a hardware supply store and plumbing service and next door was Woutila’s Package/Beverage Store. Nurme 2 Way Radio was located in the East Village of Brooklyn. A local gas service station was operated by Ellis Rabb and then purchased by George Kataja Auto Body.
During this period, the communities welcomed several new arrivals from Finland including Hannu Makipuro and Matti Huhta. Both eventually served as President of the Finnish American Heritage Society and still today both provide active support to the organization.
For those readers who may have lived in the Eastern Connecticut at one time, please forward any of your memories of friends and businesses to me at swkbrklyn@aol.com.