Lasse Hiltunen

Lasse graduated from Kent State University, earned a Master's Degree from Lake Erie College and completed a dual Principal's Administrative License from John Carroll University. He had a distinguished career as a teacher, administrator, and community activist. Lasse taught at Painesville Harvey High School, coached the baseball team to a 52-8 record and later served as Athletic Director.

He returned to Fairport Harbor and taught English, directed the Harbor Light and Skipper Sketches staffs, coached, served as Public Relations Liaison, Curriculum Director, Technology Director, Activities Director, and later Principal of McKinley Elementary. Lasse helped to establish the Finnish Heritage Museum and served as the President and Webmaster for many years.

He designed the Museum's website. He gave tirelessly of himself as a volunteer in organizations, such as Discover Fairport Harbor, Hershey Montessori Board member and the Fairport Tourism Council. He championed life-long learning and exemplified the Finnish concept of “Sisu.”