John W. Wayrynen Obituary

John W. "Jussi" Wayrynen, 92, of Pigeon Cove, athlete, artisan, sportsman, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully Thursday June 2nd, at Seacoast Nursing Home.

He was born in North Bend, Oregon after his parents headed West in the 1920's to pursue his father's business opportunities. He returned to Pigeon Cove in 1934, where he remained a "Covah" for life.

He attended Rockport Schools graduating from Rockport High in 1949 where he was a four-year letterman as an outstanding athlete in basketball and baseball.

He attended try-outs for the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies where he turned down minor league contracts.

He then worked for the Cape Ann Tool Company for several years operating one of their largest hammers before entering the Stone Masons Union.

He was an extremely talented stone mason and was famous for his work in the Cape Ann area. Some of his work included the steeple of Saint Ann's Church in Gloucester.

Jussi was an extremely optimistic person ready with a smile and an "oh sure!" for everybody he met.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays during the 1970's and 1980's Jussi would light the sauna on Stockholm Ave for his friends and family to mingle. Some of the Sauna Gang members included Howie McLellan, Brud Day, John Day, Bill Toppan (Jr. and Sr.), Bill Shawno (Jr. and Sr.), Warren Verge, Red Dog Morgan, John Montgomery, Dave Black, Paul Theriault, Ducky Day, Phil Tanson, and too many others to mention.

From the 1950's, one of the things Jussi most enjoyed was heading north to Howie McLellan's hunting camp where he enjoyed hunting with the gang for over 60 years. This gang include his sons John, Jim, Chucky, and Chris, Eric, his brother Walt, and friends Howie McLellan, Warren Verge, Brud Day, Bill Zelk, Moe Maninnen, Bobby Maninnen, Doug Anderson, and many others.

The Wayrynen Family would like to thank the staff at Seacoast for sharing many laughs with Jussi, helping to make his time there most enjoyable.

In addition to his loving wife of 56 years, Dorothy (Dot), he is survived by his sons, John Wayrynen, his wife Ramona, James Wayrynen, his wife Carolyn, Chris Wayrynen, his companion Michelle, Eric Wayrynen, his companion Sheila; his daughter Catherine Murray, her husband Sean, step-daughter Jackie Bell, her husband J.J., their daughters Chelsea and Morgan; daughter-in-law Roseann; sister-in-law Leena Wayrynen, his grandchildren, Sandra, Alyssa, Petra, Siobhan, Andrew, Matthew, and Macie; greatgrandchildren, Jackson, Langston, and Weston; nephews Michael, Steve and Esa Wayrynen; niece, Elina Wayrynen; special family friend, John "Monty" Montgomery; and many other nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Otto and Amanda Wayrynen, his son Charles, his brothers Otto, Walter, and Robert, half-brother Everett, and half-sister Irma.

His Graveside service will be held on Thursday, June 9th at 11a.m. in Locust Grove Cemetery, 90 Langsford Street, Gloucester. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street. For online guestbook please visit http://www.greelyfuneralhome.com