Thomas Ruotsi

Thomas Matthew Ruotsi, 56, passed away suddenly on August 26, 2011 while working in Pittsburgh, PA. He was born on May 7, 1955 in Hancock, MI to Elsie Kahila (Kinnunen) and Charles Matthew Ruotsi.  He graduated from Chassell High School, Michigan in 1973.  Tom served 5 years in the US Army, 3 of them in Germany and honorably discharged  in 1978.  Tom started his apprenticeship at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in 1979. He spent 15 years in Shop 51 as a Marine Electrician and retired this year as an Industrial Electronic Controls Mechanic Work Leader in Shop 98.  Tom was proud of all of his children but was a true leader to the Boy Scouts and as a youth soccer coach with his son Erich, as well as, watching his son play football.  His hobbies were hiking, camping, woodworking, photography, and fishing.  His joy was his grandson Tyson, you could see Papa Tom’s delight in his presence.   Tom was truly a selfless person who would do anything for a friend or family.  He was loved by many and respected by all who knew him. Tom will be deeply missed by his wife of 6 years, Sherry Ruotsi; his former wife of 27 years, Marge Ruotsi; His Son, Erich Ruotsi and Angela of Port Orchard.  His two daughters; Kelli Bell of Tacoma;  Robin Ruotsi and Frankie of Port Orchard as well as grandson Tyson Pablo.  He is also survived by his step children Clayton and Cheyanna Chesser of Grapeview, his mother Elsie Kahila (Kinnunen) of Houghton, MI; his brother Mike Ruotsi and Sandi of  Skandia, MI; his sisters Carolyn Pleaugh of Houghton, MI; Shirley Luty and Ray of Port Orchard, WA; and Linda Ranta and Mark of Green Bay, WI; and sister-in-law Cheri Ruotsi of  Chassell, MI.  Tom was preceded in death by his brother Russ Ruotsi and father Charles Ruotsi. A celebration of his life will be held at Rill’s Life Tribute Center in Port Orchard, WA at 4:00 pm on September 1st.  A reception will follow the life tribute.