Veli-Pekka Viitanen Has Passed Away

[Jussi Ekholm]

With heavy heart I’m telling the news to the Nihonto community. Dear friend Veli-Pekka Viitanen, who was known as Veli in the forum, has passed away. His untimely death came as a shock to everyone.

 

I will always remember Veli-Pekka as a good friend and he was also a mentor to me. We had so many great discussions and he taught me a lot. He shared so much of his knowledge to other Finnish collectors. You could always hit him up with questions and you’d know that we would be end up having a great discussion.

 

Veli-Pekka was also one of the driving forces in unifying the nihonto collectors in Finland. He made amazing work bringing us together and now we have our own group which has people all around Finland. Whenever there was an event involving Japanese swords in Finland, Veli was there to share his knowledge with everyone who had an interest on them. Be it lecture, kantei, helping a person who saw Japanese sword for the first time, Veli was always there to guide people. He had great passion for nihonto and it was always a pleasure to spend time with him.

 

We will always remember you dear friend.

[cabowen]

I never met him but he seemed a kindred spirit in his efforts to share and help others; such sad news....My best to him in the next life and to his family and friends....RIP...

[Curran]

I find this too unexpected. I cannot find the right words- a feeling of unjust loss.

I enjoyed corresponding with him and meeting him once in Tampa.

 

We've naturally lost some of our senior members the past few years,

Yet I can count an equal number of members in my own age group that we have lost.

 

I will miss Veli and wish the best possible future for those he cared about.

[John A Stuart]

If you are in contact with his family pass on my condolences. I know he will be missed both here and there. John

[Derek]

Very sad news indeed.  RIP

[hxv]

I am lost for words. Our Veli? He will be sorely missed. What a kind, nice, honest, and generous man he was!

 

Regards,

Hoanh

[Markus]

This is so sad to hear. My condolences to his family and friends. May you rest in peace Veli!

[Kronos]

Although I didn't know Veli that well he always came across as someone very knowledgeable and willing to share that knowledge with others with a rare generosity of his time. He shall be deeply missed. My thoughts and condolences are with his family at this time.

[Stephen]

My condolences to his family A true loss to the Nihonto community. Please PM me the details  of this sudden sad news.

[Nickupero]

This is very sad news, I've never had the pleasure of meeting him but I'm sure he was a true gentleman. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones. RIP Veli

Thank you Jussi for delivery of the bad news, my condolences!

[Jean]

I am shocked at learning this news. He was really a kindred soul, ready to share his knowledge and his experience. May he rest in peace. Condolences to his family.

[Toryu2020]

Always enjoyed his postings, we corresponded briefly and I had the pleasure to meet him the one time in Tampa. Always sad to lose a like-minded soul, a friend. Condolences to his family.

-t

[Jesper]

Very, very sad news. He will be missed. Condolences to his family. 

 

Jesper

[Brian]

Oh No! Not Veli.

I am devastated. Veli had been here since 2008, and was one of the nicest guys I have corresponded with here. He was always helpful and insightful, and one of those truly nice guys you come across that never seems to say anything bad about anyone.

We corresponded a few times, and he was a big NMB supporter. I really am crushed by this. I had been meaning to ask him more about a post he made about a SA donation of planes during WW2 to Finland. You always think you will have time to ask later....

Terrible news to wake up to. It was an honour knowing you the little that we did Veli. Condolences to all of his family and friends. He will be truly missed.

Here is a picture he posted of himself at Finnish Air Force boot camp  in the 1980's:

 

 

Rest in peace Veli-Pekka.

 

Brian

[paulb]

While at the DTI in October a tall gentleman approached me and introduced himself. It was Veli. We had a brief and friendly discussion and confirmed that this year  we would really get together either when I was next in Finland or he in the UK. I have had regular contact with Veli more or less since he appeared on the board. The speed with which he picked up information, learned kanji and the pure energy he brought to the subject were always a cause of admiration.

I greatly regret having failed to make the time to meet up as planned, there was always something that got in the way and I thought there would always be another opportunity.

Veli was one of lifes gentlemen and encompassed all of the poitive aspects of this subject he was studious thorough and always willing to help. In all a great example to the rest of us.

I will miss his presence here greatly and wish him peace where he is now and deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

[Daniel]

Sad news. Condolences to family and friends.

[Rich S]

Indeed sad news. As a fellow puukko colllector (and I think maker) he was always great to talk with. He will be missed. Please forward my condolences to his family.

Rich S
 

[Gilles]

Veli was a nice person, we will miss him. Condolences to his family.

[Antti]

What! No... cant be.

 

I just met him in January... this is most shocking news.

 

I only had the chance to meet him twice, but it was immideately apparent how welcoming he was towards a newbie like me. He taught me a lot, helped me during my first steps into this hobby and was all around a great guy.

 

Rest in peace VP...

[jason_mazzy]

Sadly I thought this was a sad and sick joke but I now believe this to be true. I am saddened that he is gone. 

[Ken-Hawaii]

What awful news! We'll all miss you, Veli.

 

Ken

[kusunokimasahige]

Very very sad to hear this. May the Kami guard him on the other side. He will be much missed.

 

Henk-Jan

[Ed]

That is terrible news.  Veli was a really nice guy whom I had the pleasure of corresponding with on numerous occasions.  He will be missed.

 

My condolences go out to his family and friends.

[uwe]

Sad news, although I never met him. My heartfelt condolences! RIP Veli!

Uwe

[Gabriel L]

How terrible. RIP Veli.

[Akiko]

I just heard. it seems to be true, that the good ones always go first...

Veli-Pekka was without a doubt the most humble, wise and understanding man you'll ever find.

 

A lot of time has passed, but I think it's never too late to hope that you may rest in peace.

The sword you gave me will always remind me of you.

[kissakai]

I have conversed with Veli a few times and and he was an absolute gentleman

I was shocked as we all were and please send my condolances to his family

 

 

Grev UK