Matti Laitinen

Mr. Matti 'Matt'? Laitinen, 84, 711 Ferndale Road, Johnson City died Sunday, December 28, 2008 at his residence surrounded by his family. Mr. Laitinen was a native of Mikkeli, Finland. He was the son of the late Henrik and Ida Laitinen. In addition to his parents his wife, Ingrid Laitinen in 1999 and one brother, Veijo Laitinen, also preceded him in death. He was a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church. He was a soldier in the Finnish Army and fought in the Continuation War with Russia. Mr. Laitinen received his Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from Helsinki University of Technology. As a young man in Finland, Matt dreamed of coming to the United States. After earning his college degree and overcoming many setbacks his dream was finally realized. While working in Sweden he met Ingrid, the love of his life, and convinced her to join him on his journey through his life and to America. With the sponsorship of the former Governor of Ohio James M. Cox he immigrated to Dayton, Ohio. There he worked at one of Mr. Coxs television stations, WHIO. After a few years another job opportunity arose and he went to work for National Cash Register Company (NCR). After, working at NCR another career change would present itself. He relocated with his now growing family to Galion, Ohio where he would work for North Electric Company (NEC). In 1970 the family relocated to Johnson City, Tennessee after being transferred by NEC (later ITT North). He remained employed by ITT North until 1980 when he was hired by East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine. He remained at E.T.S. U. until his retirement. In addition to his career accomplishments, Matt was a very accomplished athlete. During his time in Galion, Ohio, he won several city tennis championships in both singles and doubles. While in Johnson City, Tennessee he was also very active in the tennis community capturing numerous age group titles in singles and doubles. He was also highly ranked by the United States Association (USTA) in both Tennessee as well as the southeastern United States. Matts passion for tennis was perhaps only surpassed by his love for running. He consistently won local age group titles in both the 5K and 10K distances. At the height of his running he captured four age- group records for the 10K road- run in Tennessee. Those records still remain intact twenty-five years later. In addition to these accomplishments, at the age of sixty he completed the Helsinki Marathon in 3 hrs 10mins. Survivors include: two sons, Carl Laitinen and his wife Elizabeth D. of Huntsville, Alabama and Anders Laitinen and his wife Leighta M. of Johnson City; four grandchildren, Carl Matthew Laitinen, Jr., George Anders Laitinen, William Erick Laitinen and Niklas Anders Laitinen. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, and an inspiration to all who knew him. A memorial service for Mr. Laitinen will be conducted at 6 PM Friday, January 2, 2009 at Our Saviour Lutheran Church. Pastor Jim Nipper will officiate. The family will receive friends at the church from 4 to 6 PM Friday prior to the service.