Vesa Kuosmanen

Vesa Martti Kuosmanen, age 93 of Acton, MA, passed away peacefully at Elderwood of Scallop Shell in Wakefield, RI, on January 15, 2026.

Born in Muuruvesi, Finland on May 2, 1932, Vesa was the son of the late Konrad and Amanda (Pitkanen) Kuosmanen. He was the youngest of eight children, grew up on a farm, and began to work at the age of eight as a farmer and furniture builder when his father passed away and his brothers were fighting in World War II. Vesa attended primary school in Niierimakki and Paisilla Konepula, then graduated from Helsinki Technical Institute. He served in the Finnish Navy in a high-risk role removing mines after World War II and was a decorated wrestler who won a national championship in his lightweight weight class. Vesa then worked as a farmer, lumberjack, machinist, diesel mechanic, and draftsman. He attended an evening program for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Lowell Technical School, became a mechanical engineer, and studied astrophysics. He spent the majority of his engineering career with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, which is part of the Center for Astrophysics and is a collaboration between Smithsonian and Harvard University. He also served as a consultant to NASA for many years.

Vesa embodied the Finnish concept of SISU, as he exhibited determination, bravery, and resilience in all that he did. He loved construction, mechanics, building things, fixing things, and solving problems. He always had a creative solution to every challenge he faced and was passionate about using his skills to help others. He designed and built multiple homes and designed, patented, built, and sold his own brand of wood and coal burning stoves. He also created a unique solar-operated heating system in his home. Vesa adored his grandchildren and they loved him with all of their hearts. Upon his retirement, he enjoyed many years as a snowbird, dividing his time between Massachusetts and Florida. Vesa and his wife were long-time members of the Square Wheelers Square Dance Club and enjoyed dances and events at Finnish gatherings in Florida and Massachusetts, including Saima Park in Fitchburg, MA.

Vesa married Miriam J. Koski in 1962 and they were married until his death. They lived in Brockton before settling in Acton to raise a family. Vesa is survived by his wife of 63 years, Miriam, children Lisa Kuosmanen (Crissy) of Wakefield, RI, and Laura Helmuth (Jonathan) of Acton, MA, his loving grandchildren, Sophie Kuosmanen and Hunter Helmuth, and extended family in Finland, Maine, Louisiana, and Indiana. He was predeceased by his parents and siblings Vilho, Toivo, Maire, Kerttu, Yrjo, Ilmari, Aino, and his sister-in-law Anja Kuosmanen.

A memorial to celebrate Vesa's life will be held at a future date, with burial to immediately follow.