PERTTI FELIN

Over his 82-year life, Pertti Felin was dedicated to helping so many people it’s hard to fathom. His throughline in life was Mahatma Gandhi’s quote: “You can judge a society by the way it treats its most vulnerable and disadvantaged members.” Hence, even to the end of his life he wanted to be of service to those less fortunate than himself.

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Pertti was a father, husband, educator, translator, volunteer and he passed away on December 7, 2024 surrounded by his immediate family. Pertti was born on September 11, 1942, in Helsinki, Finland. Already at the age of 14, when his mother died, he assumed a parental role over his younger four siblings. This difficult time also led him to what he found most precious in life, the gospel of Jesus Christ. His desire and meaning in life was to follow Jesus Christ’s example of service and help others find joy in service as well.

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Pertti graduated from Toinen Lyseo (1962) in Helsinki and then served in the Finnish Military (1962-1963). Subsequently he attended Brigham Young University where he received a Bachelor's degree (1965) in English literature, after which he served as a missionary (1965-1967) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church) in the California North Mission. Pertti met Annele (Ollinheimo) and they married in the London Temple of the LDS Church in 1968. Pertti studied at the University of Helsinki and received a Master’s degree (1967-1970) in English literature. 

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For the bulk of Pertti’s professional career (1971-2010), Pertti served as a German and (primarily) English teacher—Lecturer and subsequently Senior Lecturer—at Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu (SYK). He was a much-liked teacher of thousands of students, over nearly four decades of teaching. He prided himself in his profession and on the successes and accomplishments of his many students (which included Esa-Pekka Salonen and other Finnish celebrities). Along with his teaching profession, Pertti also served as the Finnish Translation Supervisor for the LDS Church in the 1970s and 1980s. He served as the European Translation Supervisor in Frankfurt, Germany from 1980 to 1984. Pertti held numerous volunteer callings in the LDS Church, including Branch President and for well over a decade Counselor in the Helsinki Stake Presidency. He also served as an interpreter and translator for the European Commission and European Union, frequently traveling to Strasbourg, France and Brussels, Belgium. 

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Pertti raised and supported a family of nine children. Pertti is remembered by family and friends as a Renaissance man. He had a fantastic sense of humor, loved learning and books. He had an inordinate number of skills and hobbies—including cooking, house building, languages, leather working, family history, flag and stamp collecting. Yet he somehow managed to find time for what he thought (and taught) was most important: serving and helping anyone and everyone in need. He is remembered by many for sending them regularly postcards, remembering their birthdays, or for bringing by meals or freshly-baked bread. 

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Pertti is survived by his family: Annele and their children Teppo, Isto, Elena, Aslak, Asko, Annina, Esko, Timo, Selja, their spouses, and 23 grandchildren. Pertti's life will be celebrated in a private ceremony, where family and friends will gather to reflect on the memories and the indelible legacy he has left behind.