Deane Laitinen, 70, of Plymouth, MA, passed away Sept. 13, 2013, at Jordan Hospital after a long battle with cancer.
Deane was born in Quincy, MA, on Dec. 11, 1942, the son of the late Andrew (Toivo) Laitinen and Rose Laitinen. He grew up in Weymouth and resided in Plymouth for the past 40 years. Deeply patriotic, Deane proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed with the 8th Division Airbornne in Germany for two years. For 34 years he worked as a machinist at Richard’s Micro Tool. Over the years he also worked as a limo driver for Fancy Flair Limousine, was an Amsoil Distributor, and served as a sales representative for Northeast Rider magazine.
Deane was married to his high school sweetheart of 46 years Elizabeth (Dyment) and passed away 11 days short of their 47th anniversary. Loving father of daughter Denise Laitinen of Keaau, Hawaii, son Michael Laitinen of Plymouth, beloved granddaughter Alyssa Laitinen, brother Wayne (Mary) Forester, Betty Marshman (aunt) of Weymouth, and Joe Dolanski (uncle) of Australia, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Deane loved working on cars and motorcycles. He enjoyed going on motorcycle trips to Laconia, N.H. and Sturgis, S.D. He was a member and past president of the Manomet Mystery Riders and over the years he helped raise thousands of dollars for area charities as a member of the motorcycle club.
Deane was also a member of South Coastal Corvette Club for nearly two decades. Over the years he won numerous awards and trophies in car shows throughout the Northeast for his 1978 special edition Corvette. An accomplished skier, Deane and his wife were members of the Cape Cod Ski Club and enjoyed ski trips to Colorado, New Hampshire, and Maine. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #40, Safety Officer for American Legion Riders, Loyal Order of the Moose, Plymouth Rod & Gun Club, and a lifetime member of the John Alden Club. An avid dog lover, he was active in the Boston Snow Dogs and participated in dog shows with his beloved Siberian Husky “Buddy”.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours Thursday, 4-8 p.m. at the Richard Davis Funeral Home, 619 State Rd (Rt 3A), Plymouth (Manomet). A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 20 at St. Bonaventure’s Church in Manomet with burial to follow at Vine Hills Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.