George M. Mattila, age 93, of Old Hwy M-35; Rock passed away on Thursday, March 25th, 2010 at home quietly in his sleep.
George was born to Nestor and Mary (Hill) Mattila in Rock on September 29th, 1916 and he was a lifelong resident of the Rock area.
During his working life, George was involved in numerous pursuits including being employed at the cheese factory in Rock, as a bus driver for the Rock School System, and later for A.O. Smith Manufacturing in Milwaukee. In addition, he was employed as a carpenter at KI Sawyer AFB in Gwinn for a number of years. George also was a self -employed construction worker for many years and was engaged in farming much of his life. He was a member of the Carpenters Union #1510 in Escanaba.
George enjoyed the outdoors which included riding his three-wheeler, raising and selling Christmas trees, working on and using his bulldozer and backhoe, and working in his garage. His family remembers his strong and independent nature, and they always enjoyed his stories about life. His grandchildren especially remember his interesting manner in which George taught them a work ethic and the way of operating various types of equipment. They always felt at home and welcomed at grandpa’s house. The Rock community recognized George’s special personality and his continuous ability of helping others by honoring and naming him as Grand Marshall in the 2008 Rock Labor Day Parade.
George Mattila’s survivors include:
One Son – Michael (Deloris) Mattila of Rock
Two Daughters – Linda (Jim) Maki of Rock; Judy (Bill) Koski of Gwinn
Six Grandchildren: Jill Thompson., David Maki, Doug Maki, Kari MacLean, Amy Koski and Mary Koshi
Six Great-grandchildren: Eric Thompson, Brienna Thompson, Samantha Maki Johnson, Justin Maki, Amanda Englund, and Melissa MacLean
Four Great-Great Grandchildren: Adam and Alivia Frappier, and Alia and Anthony Thompson
and by necies and nephews
George also leaves to survive a good friend, Greg Brunette, of Gladstone and by his loving dog, “Charile.”
In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Lund and Elmi Holmi
The family of George M. Mattila will recieve friends on Tuesday at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Remembrances shared by family and friends to celebrate George’s life will follow at 5:00p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home. Luncheon will follow services at the Faith Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Rock. Burial will be in the Rock Cemetery.
Anonymous
Linda, Judy and Gus….What wonderful memories you must have of your Dad. I remember visiting him once as we went to pick up a Christmas tree. Onni Johnson was there too and we had a good visit. Our condolences are extended and God’s blessings to all of you.
Al & Dolly Salmi
Lake Worth, FL
Grandpa I’ll miss our visits and your great bear hugs. You always gave me advice and encouragement. I’ll miss your stories and your sense of humor.
Mary Koski
Gwinn, MI
Doug, Wendi, Justin …all George’s Family,
Sorry to hear about your grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dwight and Tami Desotelle
Grant, MI
George was a man loved by his family & community. He will leave an empty spot in many lives and hearts but his family can take pride in the fact that he was a good, honest man who put his family first. God bless George.
Jeanne Brunette
Rock, MI
Dear Linda&Family,We will miss George deeply..Greg especially,he thought of George like a father and been hanging out with him since he was 10 years old! I will miss sharing some of my home cooking with him also..He was quite a character!! You have to have some peice knowing that he lived a long life and enjoyed everyone, and he past away where he belonged. Rest in peice George!!We will miss you!!Forever in our hearts!!
Love Greg,Laurie,Hunter
Gladstone, MI
Dear Linda:
Just read on the computer that your dad died. We are so sorry to hear it. We know you took good care of him and spent a lot of time with him. We will be thinking of you as we go across country.
Cheryl Berkey
Rock, MI
Doug,Wendy & Justin,
Sorry to hear about Grandpa, he was a great man and was very blessed to have you as family. Our thoughts are with you all..
Gaylord & Jeanne Jones
Brampton, MI
I love you Grandpa. You were so loving and welcoming towards all. You were always there with a helping hand ready to help those in need. You have touched so many lives in your 93 years. I have many good memories of you and your witty ways. I remember when we came to visit and we were eating ravioli and your teeth fell out onto your plate. We all starting laughing. Super glueing your teeth back on to your denture plate. I remember the time you took me to the neighbors to see a pet skunk. I was able to pet it and didn’t get squirted! You would say “those women drivers going to work first thing in the morning, they are powdering their noses, putting their lipstick on, combing their hair or whatever instead of paying attention to driving you swore they were steering with their knees.” You were a strong man and you lived your life to the fullest. I never knew what you were going to say. It was always a surprise that would leave me laughing with tears running down my face. Grandpa I miss you and I love you. Rest in Peace.
Amy Koski
Marquette, MI
Linda our prayers are with you that you find comfort in this time of sorrow. Take pride always in knowing your actions showed how much you loved your dad by the efforts you put forth to take care of him and to help him for so many years. We missed the opportunity of knowing him but he has a loving caring daughter so he had to have been a wonderful man. If there would be anything we could do for you please don’t hesitate to let us know. Your friends,
Jim & Karen Paulin
Rock, MI
I’ll miss you grandpa! We all loved you so much. Rest in peace.
Melissa MacLean
Cooks, MI
Linda and family
Love and Blessings from our family to yours. George was a wonderful man and will be missed.
Todd and Constantino
Gladstone, MI
Anonymous
Linda, Judy and Gus….What wonderful memories you must have of your Dad. I remember visiting him once as we went to pick up a Christmas tree. Onni Johnson was there too and we had a good visit. Our condolences are extended and God’s blessings to all of you.
Al & Dolly Salmi
Lake Worth, FL
Grandpa I’ll miss our visits and your great bear hugs. You always gave me advice and encouragement. I’ll miss your stories and your sense of humor.
Mary Koski
Gwinn, MI
Doug, Wendi, Justin …all George’s Family,
Sorry to hear about your grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dwight and Tami Desotelle
Grant, MI
George was a man loved by his family & community. He will leave an empty spot in many lives and hearts but his family can take pride in the fact that he was a good, honest man who put his family first. God bless George.
Jeanne Brunette
Rock, MI
Dear Linda&Family,We will miss George deeply..Greg especially,he thought of George like a father and been hanging out with him since he was 10 years old! I will miss sharing some of my home cooking with him also..He was quite a character!! You have to have some peice knowing that he lived a long life and enjoyed everyone, and he past away where he belonged. Rest in peice George!!We will miss you!!Forever in our hearts!!
Love Greg,Laurie,Hunter
Gladstone, MI
Dear Linda:
Just read on the computer that your dad died. We are so sorry to hear it. We know you took good care of him and spent a lot of time with him. We will be thinking of you as we go across country.
Cheryl Berkey
Rock, MI
Doug,Wendy & Justin,
Sorry to hear about Grandpa, he was a great man and was very blessed to have you as family.
Our thoughts are with you all..
Gaylord & Jeanne Jones
Brampton, MI
I love you Grandpa. You were so loving and welcoming towards all. You were always there with a helping hand ready to help those in need. You have touched so many lives in your 93 years. I have many good memories of you and your witty ways. I remember when we came to visit and we were eating ravioli and your teeth fell out onto your plate. We all starting laughing. Super glueing your teeth back on to your denture plate. I remember the time you took me to the neighbors to see a pet skunk. I was able to pet it and didn’t get squirted! You would say “those women drivers going to work first thing in the morning, they are powdering their noses, putting their lipstick on, combing their hair or whatever instead of paying attention to driving you swore they were steering with their knees.” You were a strong man and you lived your life to the fullest. I never knew what you were going to say. It was always a surprise that would leave me laughing with tears running down my face. Grandpa I miss you and I love you. Rest in Peace.
Amy Koski
Marquette, MI
Linda our prayers are with you that you find comfort in this time of sorrow. Take pride always in knowing your actions showed how much you loved your dad by the efforts you put forth to take care of him and to help him for so many years. We missed the opportunity of knowing him but he has a loving caring daughter so he had to have been a wonderful man. If there would be anything we could do for you please don’t hesitate to let us know. Your friends,
Jim & Karen Paulin
Rock, MI
I’ll miss you grandpa! We all loved you so much. Rest in peace.
Melissa MacLean
Cooks, MI
Linda and family
Love and Blessings from our family to yours. George was a wonderful man and will be missed.
Todd and Constantino
Gladstone, MI