Vesa I. Aunio

Vesa Ilmari Aunio, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2024. He was 79 years old. Vesa was born in Ylistaro, Finland on November 14, 1944. With his family, he emigrated to Fitchburg, Massachusetts in 1958.

He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1969. While working, he went on to graduate with a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic in 1980. He worked for General Electric as an engineer for his entire career in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, before his retirement in 1998. In this role, he worked primarily on designing turbines for the GE steam turbine plant in Fitchburg. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. In addition to his career in engineering, Vesa was a life-long tinkerer and, in turn, inventor. Throughout his working career and in his retirement, he applied for and received several patents.

That didn’t stop him, however, from being a devoted son to his mother, whom he took care of throughout her later years. In addition, he was a devoted brother and uncle to the Aunio family. He could often be seen making riisipuuro (Finnish rice pudding) for the family at the holidays while discussing his latest ideas for new inventions. He traveled with his brothers, whenever possible, to see family members and celebrate their life events. He will be missed as a constant, unfailing presence in the life of his extended family.

Vesa is predeceased by his parents, John and Lempi Aunio, his brother and sister-in-law, Rainer and Teresa Aunio, and his brothers Helmer, Urho, and Kauko. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Helena and Bill Rosengren, his sister-in-law Judith Aunio, and dozens of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

A calling hour will be held in the funeral home from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Monday, July 22, 2024. The funeral service will begin at 11 A.M. Following the service, there will be a repast hosted by family. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Vesa’s name to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (https://alzfdn.org) or the Association for Frontotemporal Dementia (https://www.theaftd.org/).

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