John Laaninen Jr.'s Obituary
John Laaninen Jr., 81, of Hudson, Florida, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2025. He was the beloved husband of Geraldine Laaninen, with whom he shared 57 years of devoted marriage. Together, they built a life filled with love, family, and cherished memories.
Born on December 16, 1943, in New York, NY, John was the son of the late John Laaninen Sr. and Goldie Laaninen of Paramus, NJ. After graduating high school, he began a long and successful career with AT&T. However, shortly after starting, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served during the Vietnam War, including a 9-month active deployment in Vietnam. During his military service, John discovered a passion for cars, often spending time fixing them. After his service, he purchased a 1967 Pontiac GTO, which became his prized possession. He lovingly kept it in the garage, only bringing it out during the summer months especially around the Fourth of July. It was a bittersweet moment when he had to sell it upon moving to Florida 25 years ago.
John enjoyed a successful career as a Project Manager at AT&T, where his intelligence, problem-solving skills, and organizational talents shone. A quiet and reserved man, he was known for his kind and gentle nature, his love of photography, and his passion for reading, fishing, sports (baseball and football), and weekend crossword puzzles. He was a very patient man, never rushed anything and always had a plan. He was a handy and observant thinker, always ready to lend a helping hand or share a clever solution.
John is survived by his wife, Geraldine (“Geri”); his children: John Laaninen III, Lori Edelbach (Kevin), and Scott Laaninen (Stephanie); and his six grandchildren (Katelyn, Patrick, David, Eli, Zac and Brady), who brought him immense joy. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; his brother, Frederick Laaninen; and his sisters, Nancy Vega and Shirley Ann Laaninen.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
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