Martti R. Miettinen

Martti Randolph Miettinen passed away at age 71 at his home in Newtown, CT, on January 8 after a courageous, decades-long battle with multiple sclerosis (MS). His loving wife of 31 years, Libby, was at his side.

A renowned high-end automobile mechanic who specialized in BMWs, Porsches, Jaguars, Mercedes, and rare/exotic collectibles, Martti had his own shop in Redding, CT, where his clients included fashion designer Alexander Julian, the singer Meat Loaf and Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary. Unfortunately, due to worsening symptoms of MS, he was forced to close his business in 1994.

Martti was born in Helsinki, Finland, on January 30, 1952, and immigrated to Ridgefield, CT, with his parents Erkki and Hilkka when he was 3 years old. He began his career working at his father’s gas and repair station and learning everything his dad (a former European motocross champion) knew about mechanics and car repair. Martti went on to study mechanics at Mercedes in Germany before opening his own business.

In addition to being a car and motorcycle aficionado, Martti was also a downhill and giant slalom racer, president of the ski club at Ricker College in Maine, and an avid sailor, part of the crew assigned to sail 70-foot racing sloops back to California after the Trans-Pacific yacht races in Hawaii.

Although he had a kind, self-deprecating, and appreciative nature, Martti was also a prankster with a mischievous sense of humor. Despite his progressive MS, he never complained, and loved spending time with his beloved wife, friends, and family, enjoying his beautiful home and gardens, and playing with his two corgis.

Martti is survived by the love of his life, his wife Elizabeth (“Libby”) Thorne Keating; his uncle, Lexa Kaukianen of Helsinki, Finland; his cousin Linda Booth (and husband John) of Venice, FL; his sisters-in-law Anne Fraser Keating of New York, NY, Mary Pierson Keating (and husband Daniel) of Rowayton, CT, and Carolyn Ridgely Keating (and wife Lisa) of Westport, CT; his brother-in-law, David Nelson Keating of Albuquerque, NM; his corgis, Henry and Chloe; and many dear friends.

A wake for Martti will be held on Saturday, January 13, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home in Monroe, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Martti to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (mymsaa.org) or to RVNA health hospice (RVNAhealth.org).

While he will be deeply missed by all who knew him, we know Martti is now off racing somewhere with the wind in his face and a song in his heart, free at last.