Edwin A. Lahti

EDWIN A. LAHTI

LEOMINSTER--Edwin Lahti, born January 20, 1927 (Inauguration Day) in Cleveland, Ohio to Finnish immigrant parents, Tynne and Eino, passed from this earth on October 17, 2018. Ed’s Dad later relocated the family to Leominster, MA and founded Fix It Auto Body.

Ed was an only child for ten years and siblings Ben, Dan and Rachel would later join the family. (Only Ben still survives.) Finnish language and culture was so prevalent in the home, Ed had trouble learning English in the first grade and spoke with an accent. A good student, Ed considered learning to read one of his greatest achievements. He bought 1,000’s of books over his lifetime to read and give freely to friends. The Bible was his favorite but he also enjoyed the Classics, Poetry he would recite to his wife, Vieno, and Greek Mythology.

At age 17, Ed enlisted in the Army and served in Japan and the Philippines. Upon his return to Leominster, he joined his father in the family business. Ed attended Fitchburg State College through the GI Bill and earned a Teaching Degree. Eventually becoming President of Lahti’s Inc., Ed thoroughly enjoyed teaching Summer Intercession Classes at WPI. One of his greatest joys was leading a Bible Study in his dealership before business hours. Ed was a generous person who would help those in need, even funding a few through school. He loved buying Recovery Bibles for those struggling in 12 Step Programs. Ed was mainly known for his great Christian faith which he shared with anyone.

Ed enjoyed running, growing vegetables and flowers, travel, his sauna and was an avid sailor. Later in life, Ed developed a keen interest in birds and fed them constantly throughout the day when he became home bound after a broken hip. He frequently said growing old was “for the birds.” He loved his “girls”- wife Vieno who pre-deceased him in 2005, daughter Chaplain Elizabeth Lahti Rosensaft of NJ and granddaughter, Mia Rosensaft of Philadelphia, his favorite, and ONLY Grandchild. He delighted in Mia’s becoming an Architect this summer.

Calling Hours are October 22 from 5-7 pm at the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West Street in Leominster. Funeral Services are at Trinity Lutheran Church, 117 Chace Street in Clinton, MA at 10 am on Tuesday October 23.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Trinity Lutheran in Clinton and the Jews for Jesus organization.

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