Frederic E. Hirsimaki

1924 - 2021

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Fredric Edwin Hirsimaki of Findlay, announce his passing Tuesday morning, the 5th of January. Fred’s transition was peacefully natural by the Grace of God. He was the father of Karen A. (Hirsimaki) Filter (Richard J.) of CO, and grandfather to Gregory Calder of FL, Erica T. (Ennis) Hearder, Rebecca A (Filter) Marshall, and Jessica M. (Filter), all of CO. He was great grandfather to Courtney E. Loew, of CO, Sydnee, Ian, Simone and Sebastien Calder, of FL, and Logan J. Weaver, of CO. Fred was also uncle to 26 nieces and nephews. He was born to and preceded in death by his mother Emilia (Hankakoski) and father Jaakkob Nicolai Hirsimaki of Conneaut, OH. immigrants from Finland. Fred was second to last of 11 children. All his siblings preceded him in death. His siblings were Aaro Hirshey, Sylvi Hirsimaki, Eli Hirsimaki, Charles Hirshey, Raymond Hirsimaki, George Hershy, Martin Hirsimaki, Helen (Hirsimaki) Churchill, and Ted Hirsimaki. Fred married Colleen “Connie" VanMeter of Hancock Co in 1948 and they were happily married for 53 years prior to Connie’s untimely death on January 9th, 2002. In Oct of 2003, Fred remarried at age 79 to Doris Irene Rehs of Cuyahoga Falls, OH. They were married until May 28th, 2018, when Doris also preceded him in death. He is survived by Doris' children: Rebecca Rachel (Rehs) Estock (Rick), Renee (Rehs) Santin (Jim), Mark Rehs (Diane), Greg Rehs, Shawn Rehs and Lynn (? Unknown), all of Cuyahoga Falls, OH. Fred knew and enjoyed, especially, Rebecca and Mark who visited most often. He continued to reside at Taylor Place where they had moved in April, 2018. Following a few summers working on ore boats on Lake Erie between school years and after, Fred enlisted in the Army to participate in WWII in the elite 327th Harbor Craft Division. Fred served as a tugboat captain that hauled supplies up the Hooghli River in India to deliver them to the “back door” of active combat on the western side of the Alps. He had many fascinating stories about using the mules from the locks to hunt anaconda in the jungle when he and his crew had days off. (Pictures do exist.) Or when a huge cargo ship hit his tug and rolled it completely over with him in it! He was very proud to have served and be a veteran! Fredric’s greatest passion was sports, ALL sports, in which he excelled in all of them from an early age; landing a position on the All State Basketball team as a senior at Rowe High in Conneaut, his hometown. He had received a football scholarship to Georgia State, prior to WWII, where he played football, basketball and baseball for 2 years. In his sophomore year he was drafted as pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates reserve team, but unfortunately that ended due to a severe shoulder injury. Fred moved to Findlay to attend Findlay College where his brother and mentor, Charles, was coaching and this brought about his meeting Connie. Together they embraced life in Findlay, marrying in '48 and becoming parents in '49, they attended First Evangelical United Brethren Church (now St. Mark’s Methodist) at Lima Ave and South Main Street. Both he and Connie were active in the church and Fred served as Deacon several times. He attended church regularly until he was 91 when he could no longer drive. Karen would take them when she was in town to help with his affairs and medical needs. Another contribution to Findlay was Fred’s volunteer coaching of Pony League ball teams for approximately 15 years. He was very dedicated to mentoring Findlay youth too, hopefully, foster their interest in sports. He was very proud of his teams each year and applauded their efforts. Fred initially worked at Cooper Tire Company following his marriage, then he moved on to San a Pure Dairy for 5 years, then he became a state Patrol mobile weighman where he continued to work for 30 years, until retirement at 65 years old. Lifting 18, 80lb scales out, then into his van, again, whenever he stopped a semi helped him stay fit for his athletic endeavors that he had resumed at age 55 in World Masters Track & Field and The Senior Olympics. He trained, religiously, and attended track meets all over the country, including Colorado, where he and Connie would vacation and visit Karen and Rick and their three granddaughters! Over the years until age 86, Fred won hundreds of medals (mostly gold), trophies, plaques, and was awarded 11 inductions to Halls Of Fame. The Halls of Fame ranged from Hancock County to State Seniors Hall, and various National Halls, with one being The National Bowling Hall of Fame; because he was an avid bowler, too. Fred was on a golf league team until he was 90, too. His most proud moments were when he was chosen to be one of the runners to carry the 1996 Olympic torch through Findlay and when he beat the World Record in the World Master’s Decathlon at Mayfield, Oh, when he was 82; clearly setting the bar high at 6008 points and obliterating the 4982 previous record points. He held that record until 6 years ago. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Findlay, where visitation will be held 2 hours (12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.) prior to the service. Pastors Dan Metzger and Gary Bair officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Findlay. Arrangements are being handled by COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, Findlay. In lieu of flowers you can donate to the St. Mark’s Methodist Building Fund at 800 S. Main, Findlay, OH. Online condolences may be expressed at www.coldrencrates.com.

Service Information

Visitation Details:

St. Marks United Methodist Church [Map]
800 South Main St
Findlay, Ohio 45840
Tuesday, January 12th 2021 12:00 to 2:00 PM
Funeral Service:
Tuesday, January 12th 2021 - 2:00 PM
Service Location:

St. Mark's United Methodist Church [Map]
800 S Main St
Findlay, Ohio 45840
Final Resting Place:

Maple Grove Cemetery [Map]
1120 W Main Cross St
Findlay, Ohio 45840
Contributions:

St. Marks United Methodist Church Building Fund

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Instructions:

Full military rites by the Hancock County Veterans Memorial Squad.