Obituary of Victor M. Helin

Victor (“Vic”) Matti Helin, 80, husband of the late Anne M. Helin for 54 years and “Dud” to his sons, died with his family by his side on November 26^th, 2023, after an extended battle with dementia. Vic was born in Fitchburg, MA to the late Olavi and Ida (Rajaniemi) Helin, graduating from Fitchburg High School in 1961, followed by two years at Norwich University. Vic retired from Pratt & Whitney Aircraft after over 45 years of service as an Engineer.

A star athlete in his own right, he passed on his love of sports to his four sons who played Manchester Little League spanning almost two decades. He served as Commissioner and quietly gave so much of his time at Leber Field – including everything from PA announcer to groundskeeper to concessions and beyond.

More than anything, Vic enjoyed his family and being alongside his beloved wife watching his sons play baseball. As Grandpa, aka Buppa, he enthusiastically attended his girls’ soccer, basketball, and softball games. And as an avid sports guy, he even developed a special love for watching their dance recitals.  When not interrupted by his sons’ postseason baseball games, he loved family vacations at Hampton Beach, NH, where he truly relaxed for two weeks. Vacations started with tossing his watch into a drawer, continued with hours of body surfing and daily walks that occasionally spanned the coast of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. 

Vic is survived by his sons, Christopher Helin and his wife Stacey of Manchester, CT, Michael Helin and his wife Kristen of Ellington, CT, and John Helin and girlfriend Erin Winker of South Windsor, CT. He also leaves behind four granddaughters, Stephanie, Christina, Mikayla and Isabella Helin and his closest cousin Christine (Tom) Lamey. In addition to his wife Anne, who passed away in July 2021, Vic was predeceased by his beloved son Matthew, his sister Aileen, brother Alvin and niece Maryfrances.

Calling hours will take place on Thursday, November 30^th from 4pm to 8pm at John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center Street, Manchester, CT. A brief service will be held on Friday, December 1^st at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home followed by burial in East Cemetery in Manchester, CT. For online condolences, please visit www.TierneyFuneralHome.com.

To honor Vic’s passion, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Manchester Little League via Venmo @manchesterlittleleague or Manchester Little League, c/o Donald Diehl, Treasurer, 98 High Ridge Farm Lane, Bolton, CT 06043.