Harvey A. Wainio

Harvey Alexander Wainio, “Sandy” 65, born in Everett Wash. November 26, 1946, passed away in Post Falls, Idaho, July 6, 2012, from complications following surgery. Sandy grew up in Greenbank Wash. on the family farm his Finnish grandparents immigrated to in 1918. He was the beloved only child of Arve Alexander Wainio and Helmi Olkonen Wainio. His childhood included many days fishing with his dad at Lagoon Point, with a photo of him holding a 33# King salmon caught in 1959. Sandy graduated from Coupeville HS in 1965, where he excelled in basketball and baseball. After high school Sandy joined the Air Force. He left the military as the sole surviving son, coming back to Greenbank to care for his mother, after his father died of a heart attack in 1966. His mother Helmi passed away in 1972.

Growing up Sandy was very close to his Aunt Ellen’s kids in Langley, cousins Gayle, Carol, Ron and Sharon Cattron. They shared summers, spending weeks together and many family occasions. Sandy was more of a brother to the Cattron kids, and he and Ron shared that special bond that only two boys can share. They got into mischief but they weren’t always caught. Sandy introduced cousin Sharon to one of his best friends Ray Edwards. It worked well for Sandy as he and his “cousin in law” Ray spent decades together hunting elk, deer, birds, golf balls, and bowling championships.

Sandy’s love of baseball continued while attending Everett Community College where he played baseball, and later playing softball for the Franklin company. Sandy worked for Whidbey Telephone Company for 30 years. His most recent years were spent in Grangeville Idaho, dearly loved by his wife Beatrice Rorex Shatto. Together they built a construction company “Bea Street Builders” and in their spare time they loved working in the Grangeville Youth Sports program. In 2002 Sandy completed the NFHS Coaches Education Program, Coaching Principles course, becoming a certified instructor. Sandy enjoyed both Little League and Babe Ruth, coaching the Cottonwood Babe Ruth Pirates team.

Sandy was a great guy, and was loved by all with whom he came in contact. He had a marvelous gift for gab, and could talk his way into and out of almost any situation. He lived life hard and easy, always with wit and humor. He will be sorely missed.

Sandy is survived by his wife, Beatrice L Shatto of Grangeville, and many Japanese Chin dogs, chickens and cats which he enjoyed immensely. He is also survived by: daughter, Jennifer Lynn Viveros, granddaughters, Aletas Viveros and Veronica Viveros, and great grandchildren Alesandra, Selena, Santana Arceo, Tatianna, Mariah & Jeremy. Stepchildren; Gwendolyn C “Rorex-Maddox” Swanstrom, Nicholas V Shatto and Charles B Shatto and great grandchildren Jeramiah, Bianca, Kellan, Kieryn, Brayden and Benton Alexander. He will also be greatly missed by his cousins, Gayle Pancerzewski, Carol Wade, Sharon & Ray Edwards, and their children. He also had a special bond with his cousin Mary Ellen Stackhouse’s daughter, Lana Galbraith.

The family held a private memorial service.