Thomas John Manninen

GWINN, Mich. - Thomas John Manninen, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and mentor, passed away at his home in Upper Michigan while surrounded by his family on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014.

Thomas was born premature to Fred and Rozella Manninen on Dec. 21, 1944.

As a youth, this proud son of Anvil Location loved to spend time in the woods of Upper Michigan with his brothers and their dog, Rusty, hunting birds, fishing and enjoying the outdoors.

Tom loved to play and exceled at all athletic sports, including football, tennis and especially baseball, where he was internationally known as the infamous "Bill Manninen." A Canadian sportswriter from the era wrote that "Bill" played the game like a cross between a young Bobby Feller and Ted Williams.

Tom graduated with a degree in public administration in 1966 from Colorado State University, where he played on both of their football and baseball teams. He had many stories from those years, yet he loved to recount the baseball game in Arizona where he pitched against the future number one Major League Baseball draft pick, Rick Monday. After two questionable calls of "ball" by the home plate umpire, Tom had pitched Rick to a full count before throwing him his hardest fastball down the middle, which was quickly and assuredly knocked out of the ballpark. He always joked that maybe he should "retell" that story a little better.

Tom first met his cherished wife, Carol, as he liked to tell it, at the Ironwood hospital, when she was born four days after him and it was love at first sight.

The two became high school sweethearts after being crowned king and queen of prom in 1962. They married a few years later and started their great life's adventure together, raising a family along the way, while living everywhere from Upper and lower Michigan, Colorado, Texas, Minnesota and Alaska, with many memorable road trips in between.

Tom worked as a city manager, administrator, superintendent or controller for more than 35 years, supporting his family. He retired in 2004 to spend time with and care for his wife, whose high school photo he carried with him in his wallet everywhere since 1962.

His great passion in life, besides his wife and family, was recounting old stories and joking with family, friends and strangers alike. He loved gardening tomatoes and collecting antiques of all kinds, including coins, beer memorabilia and baseball cards.

He enjoyed watching Westerns and action movies, as well as college football and major league baseball, his whole life. When he was not caught sneaking a kiss from his wife, he could often be found in pensive thought in a quiet room with a favorite book next him.

He was a strong, independent Finn who made his way through life with a deep, welcoming and generous heart. He fiercely held on to those final moments of his life until all of his family had arrived to be with him. As his favorite Robert Frost poem ends: "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep."

His final wishes were that all of his loved ones take care and love one another and simply enjoy life. He was an amazing man who was loved by all and will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; a daughter, Tammy Jo; sons, Scott and Ryan; grandchildren, Cole Thomas and Toni Marie; a sister, Mary; brothers, George and John (aka Johnny Karkafarkalizer); many relatives and friends; as well his two kitties, April and Chips, all of whom he loved so deeply.

The burial will take place today, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, at 1 p.m. in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer. Family and friends and those who knew him are, of course, welcome.

The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderfuneral

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