IN MEMORIAM. Peeter-Jaak Einola

In memoriam

Peeter-Jaak Einola

(10 March 1954 – 15 March 2026)

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Peeter Einola, a distinguished Estonian community figure in Canada.

Peeter Einola was born on 10 March 1954 in Toronto to an Estonian refugee family. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1976 as an industrial engineer and later obtained a master’s degree in economics from York University. Most of his professional life was related to the fields of economics and engineering.

Although Peeter Einola lived permanently in Canada, he maintained close ties with Estonia. He upheld a strong connection between the University of Tartu and the Estonian community in Toronto – projects initiated and supported by him have contributed to both the University of Tartu’s endeavours and the promotion of Estonian culture in Toronto.

For nearly two decades, Peeter Einola served as the representative of the University of Tartu Foundation in Canada, chairman of the council of the Chair of Estonian Studies Foundation at the University of Toronto, director of the University of Tartu Fund (in Canada), and deputy chair of the council of Tartu College at the University of Toronto, a major hub for Estonian cultural organisations in Toronto. As president of the Chair of Estonian Studies Foundation, he led the initiative to start teaching the Estonian language at the University of Toronto.

Together with Rector Volli Kalm, Peeter Einola initiated the idea of establishing the expatriate Estonian visiting professorship to invite expatriate Estonian scholars to deliver lectures at the University of Tartu for at least one semester. The scholarship for expatriate Estonian visiting professors was created at the University of Tartu Foundation in 2018. Its awarding is supported by expatriate Estonian organisations in Canada and the USA.

Peeter Einola was also one of the driving forces behind the celebration of the University of Tartu as Estonia’s national university in Toronto. In cooperation with Tartu College at the University of Toronto, the Chair of Estonian Studies Foundation, and the Museum of Estonians Abroad (VEMU), this has become an enduring tradition that brings together members of the academic community and the diaspora.

In 2020, Peeter Einola was awarded the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation.

Peeter Einola was an alumnus of the fraternity Rotalia and the deputy chair of its worldwide alumni organisation. He was a bearer of Rotalia’s ribbon of honour, a member of the board of the Rotalia Foundation, and for many years its chair. His mission was to support young Estonians in acquiring an education, and membership in Rotalia provided an excellent opportunity to maintain close contact with young people.

Peeter Einola served the Estonian cause until his final breath. Just hours before his heart stopped, he submitted his proposals for launching a fundraising campaign to support Estonian students in Toronto.

He is mourned by his wife Svea and their sons Henno and Timo. We extend our deepest condolences to them.

University of Tartu
University of Tartu Foundation
Fraternity Rotalia