NEW VINEYARD – Niilo W. Sillanpaa, 78, of New Vineyard died on Sept. 16, 2009 at his home.
He was born April 3, 1931 in Kingfield, the son of Alex and Impi (Miller) Sillanpaa. He was educated in the schools of Kingfield then entered the U.S. Army at the age of 17 during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning to Kingfield he met Blanche Douglass and they were married Jan. 17, 1958. Niilo had many occupations including several local mills, Sugarloaf Ski Resort, and for the State Department of Transportation from which he retired. He enjoyed woodworking, preparing his firewood for the winter, and caring for his home and yard. Niilo was very proud of his Finnish heritage.
Niilo is survived by his wife Blanche of 51 years; his daughter Shenny Fletcher and her husband Scott; her daughter-in-law Cheryl Sillanpaa and her husband Andy Phillips; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Niilo Sillanpaa III and daughter Sydney, Jesse Sillanpaa and wife Heidi and their children Cole and Jesslyn, Luke Fletcher and wife Taylor and their daughter Avery, Celena Fletcher and her partner Sean Faris and their child due in November, Alex Sillanpaa and wife Rachel and their children Lacey and Adelinn, and Robert Sillanpaa and wife Sarah and their son Wiekko; two brothers Wiekko and Austin; four sisters, Sylvia Carlson, Salli Dudley and her husband Lucien, Minervia Pulsifer, Anita Parsons, and sister-in-law Bette Sillanpaa. Niilo was predeceased by his parents, his son Niilo Jr., and three brothers Robert, Alex (John), and Martin.
Visiting Hours will be held from 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 at Adams-McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Service 108 Court St. Farmington, ME 04938. A funeral will be held in the funeral home chapel immediately following visitation at 4 p.m. Saturday. Interment will be at the North Franklin Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family would prefer donations be made to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to the family via the funeral home Web site www.adamsmcfarlane.com
