Runar West, 91, passed away Sunday, June 9, 2013, at the Christopher House. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Hjordis (Anderson) West; a daughter and son-in-law, Susan C. and Henry Franklin of NH; a son and daughter-in-law, Brent R. and Kathleen West of Leicester; five grandchildren, Tina Dumont, Michel Blake, Jessica West-Isaacson, Michael West, and Gregory West; four great-grandchildren, Emma, Sara, Dalton, and Travis. He was predeceased by a son, Bruce West; a sister, Elvi Hakans; and a brother, Boris West.
Runar was born in Narpes, Finland, son of Aili (Peltoniemi) and Gunnar West. In 1947, he moved to America and began work as a carpenter. He went on to operate his own construction company, Viking Builders. In 1963, he and a partner formed Runar West Engineering and specialized in building nursing homes, office buildings, and residential work throughout Worcester and surrounding communities. Once, honored as Business Man of the Year, he was also a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, SAC, Vasa Nordic Lodge, and Finnish Heritage Society Sovittaja. He enjoyed music and played many instruments, including the trumpet and saxophone.
A funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster Street, at 11am,Wed., June 12. Burial in All Faiths Cemetery will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Altar Guild or the Alzheimer's Association 480 Pleasant Street Watertown, MA 02472. Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street is directing arrangements. To leave an online message of condolence, please click link below.