John T. Tossavainen Sr

John Toivo Tossavainen, 88, a longtime resident of Great Barrington, MA, passed away on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Born on November 4, 1937, in Westfield, MA, John was the son of the late Toivo R. and Ann (Skorput) Tossavainen. He was a 1956 graduate of the former Searles High School in Great Barrington. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 1958, he spent 18 months stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany before being honorably discharged in October 1960.

In June 1971, John earned an Associate Degree in Business from Bentley School of Accounting and Finance in Boston. He built a long and steady career as an accountant, first with G.E. and later at General Dynamics.

John lived a life defined by quiet dedication, integrity, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. His love of baseball ran deep; he loved to play it, coach it and watch. John spent countless hours coaching his children’s sports teams. He was a member of Wyantenuck County Club where he hit a hole in one in course #2.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cynthia, whom he married on July 5, 1975. He is also survived by his children, Cathy Langenback, Phillip Payer, Jeffrey Murphy, Thomas Tossavainen, Brett Payer and John Tossavainen, Jr. along with several grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Joanne C. Tossavainen on December 1, 1972 and his brother, Toivo Tossavainen.

SERVICES - Funeral Services for John T. Tossavainen will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, conducted by Rev. William P. Murphy. Burial with Military Honors will follow at St. Bridget’s Cemetery in Housatonic. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

Donations in memory of John may be made to either Dana Farber Cancer Institute through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to his family please go to www.finnertyandstevens.com

The family would like to thank the Berkshire Visiting Nurses Association for their support during the last few months.