Longtime Aberdeen resident Eric W. Penttila, 91, passed away on April 3, 2011 at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen. He was born Eric Willard Penttila in Astoria, Oregon on December 21, 1919 to Finnish immigrants Wilho (William) Andrew Penttila and Hilma Sofia Jarvi Penttila. The family moved to a home on Queets Avenue in Hoquiam when Eric was two-years old. Later, the Penttila family relocated to the East Aberdeen Finn Town area. Eric grew up during the Depression era of the 1930’s and told family of hardships during that time. Eric graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1938. A lifelong sports fan, he won the 1938 Coach’s Award as the manager of the Aberdeen High School football team. He maintained the team’s equipment and uniforms, earning the respect of Bus Fairbairn who was the caretaker of the Miller Natatorium and Stewart Field. Later, he would become a proud founding member of the Aberdeen High School athletic Hall of Fame Committee and always cheered on the Aberdeen Bobcats, Grays Harbor Chokers, the Washington Huskies, and the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners. He joined the Army in June 1942. On October 31, 1942, he married Hoquiam native Elinor Aino Karimaki at Camp Rucker, Alabama, a marriage that lasted 67 years until Elinor’s death in May 2010. They didn’t realize until later that they were married on Halloween as it wasn’t being observed during the war years. Eric was transferred to Yuma, Arizona during World War II to train as a rifleman, but he was discharged from the Army in October 1943 for medical reasons. He returned to Aberdeen, where he lived for the rest of his life. His employers included Aberdeen Plywood, Harbor Plywood, Evans Products and Elma Plywood. He was an original stockholder in Hoquiam Plywood. Son Lauri works his original share at the mill today. Eric loved socializing and was a member of the Elks, Eagles, American Legion and 40 et 8 clubs. Eric enjoyed meeting friends at Macs Tavern for coffee. He was a terrific ballroom dancer, could speak fluent Finnish, and his children remember him as a handyman who could fix anything. One of his great joys was planning the annual family vacation to Hoods Canal and later to Lake Chelan, where the family has reunited every summer since 1967. He is survived by six children: Eric D. Penttila of Nome, Alaska; Steve Penttila of Port Ludlow, Washington; Phil Penttila of Aberdeen; Lauri Penttila of Aberdeen; Mary Penttila Hansen of Tigard, Oregon; and Christine Penttila Maynard of Alexandria, Virginia. He also leaves behind daughters-in-law Sharon Penttila, Cheri Penttila and Cindy Penttila; sons-in-law Mike Hansen and Tom Maynard; 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Eric was preceded in death by his sister Eva Penttila Linne. The Penttila family would like to thank Dr. Anne Marie Wong and the staffs at Grays Harbor Health and Rehabilitation and Community Hospital for their care as well as a thank you to Rosie and the staff at the 40 et 8. Eric’s family suggests a donation to the Aberdeen High School athletic department or to a charity of one’s choice. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 14th at 11 a.m. at the Fern Hill Chapel in Aberdeen. A reception will follow at the 40 et 8 in Aberdeen. A card of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com Arrangements are through Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.