Tuomas Marjamäki has published a new biography of Vesa-Matti Loir.
Nonfiction writer Tuomas Marjamäki interviewed Vesa-Matti Loiria during twenty years numerous times, on different subjects and in different life situations.
Ten interviews and extensive source material resulted in a recent biography comprehensively dealing with the star’s life and art.
It goes through Loir’s career and private life, up to the last moments.
A third biography of Vesa-Matti Loir has been published. Jussi Eskola
Two cancers
Friend Nona Alvesalo took Loir’s doctor to the Eira hospital on the artist’s 77th birthday. Loiri had suffered from severe pain for a long time. The food didn’t want to go down, and on the other hand, it didn’t want to stay inside.
It turned out that there was a tumor in Loir’s esophagus that had almost completely blocked it. The man was in such poor condition that the opening surgery had to wait. In addition, something vague could be seen in his liver, and a sample had to be taken from it.
Soon came an inconsolable diagnosis: the cancer was advanced in both the esophagus and the liver. Loiri could be operated on and he could receive treatments that would bring a few more years. However, half of the time would be spent recovering from harsh treatments, much of it in the hospital.
Vesa-Matti Loiri wished for an organic death. Inka Soveri
Friends together
Loiri announced that he wanted an organic death. That meant there would be two to six months to live.
The acting legend was allowed to live at home for the rest of his life, but not alone. Alvesalo moved in with him.
At first, Loir had severe pains, which Alvesalo couldn’t do anything about, even though he massaged him five times a day. In the end, the medication was adjusted, the pain eased, and with the help of a tube installed in the esophagus, food also started to taste good.
Loiri followed his characteristic circadian rhythm until the end: He went to bed at three in the morning at the earliest and woke up at two in the afternoon.
The men watched snooker and boxing together, as well as old athletics competitions and movies.
Loiri no longer slept in her bedroom but sat on the sofa, where she also took naps and slept at night. During the day, he moved only when he went to the toilet.
The food went down best when pureed. You could enjoy alcohol, but not to the point of drunkenness. Loiri also smoked cigars.
Death did not scare Loir. He was ready. It was clear to Loir that everything was not over, the best was yet to come. Jussi Eskola
Farewell
Marjamäki says in his book that the cancer diagnosis did not really affect Loir’s attitude to life.
Loiri did not accuse anyone of anything. He had understood and accepted his situation and was not bitter.
– I have been able to do and see all kinds of things. I’ve been allowed to perform. I have made mistakes, but I don’t feel that I should apologize for anything. I have lived a good life, Loiri told Alvesalo.
Loiri also started saying goodbye to his friends. He assured everyone that he would leave this world with a happy mind and would be curious to see what would wait beyond the border between life and death.
Many old acquaintances, both musicians and actors, visited the artist in Tapiola. Loiri even played and sang with them.
Presidential greetings
The President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö and Dr. Jenni Haukio also heard about Loir’s situation. They invited him to their official residence in Mäntyniemi, but Loiri couldn’t bear to leave anymore.
However, Niinistö called Loir. The call lasted half an hour.
Haukio, on the other hand, sent a letter. In it, he said that he appreciated Loir. Haukio also wrote that he had followed Uuno Turhapuro since he was a child. After reading the letter, Loiri started to cry.
To the hospital
Over the course of last summer, Loir’s dreams started to get longer. He had been able to go to the toilet on his own for a long time, but in the end Alvesalo had to take him in a wheelchair.
Alvesalo started asking if it would be better to transfer to Eira hospital.
– We’ll disappear tomorrow, Loiri answered many times.
The man knew that he would not return home after going to the hospital.
At the end of July, Loir’s condition deteriorated and she hardly ate anything anymore.
On July 28, Loiri went to the hospital.
The best ahead
In the hospital, her condition improved even more thanks to the nutritional solution, and in the first days Loiri could even walk in the corridors.
Bishop of the Diocese of Helsinki Teemu Laajasalo visited Loir in the hospital. The men talked for three hours.
Death did not scare Loir. He was ready. It was clear to Loir that everything was not over, the best was yet to come.
Laajasalo asked about Loir’s wishes regarding the day of the funeral. Loiri wished for a blessing in St. John’s Church, because it was especially beautiful to her and associated with memories.
Last blink
On the evening of the ninth of August, Loiri smoked his last cigar.
After that, Alvesalo pushed his friend in a wheelchair to his room.
After getting to bed, Loiri grabbed Alvesalo’s hand:
– Thank you for today, Nona.
Loiri continued to wave weakly at Alvesalo, who had left the room.
In the morning, the artist loved by the whole nation was gone.
Vesa-Matti Loiri was blessed in September. Jenni Gästgivar
Tuomas Marjamäki: Among the acquaintances Vesku (Docendo) will be published on March 15.