Kirt Crosby Suominen, 59, of Otto, passed away Wednesday, October 7, 2009.

Born in Worcester, MA, he was the son of Lois Perry of Franklin and the late Veikko J. Suominen. Kirt was a US Navy Seal Veteran, having served during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Otto Volunteer Fire Department and was an EMT. He was a certified guide for white water rafting on the Nantahala and Chattooga Rivers and he loved to fish. Kirt was a "swift water rescue" instructor, "high angle" rescuer and scuba diving instructor. He was a Tae Kwon Do instructor who owned 5 Tae Kwon Do schools in Clearwater, FL.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his companion, Heather Smith of Otto; two daughters, Sarah and Hannah Suominen both of Clearwater, FL; brother, Jan Suominen of Clearwater, FL and two special nephews, Devon and Andrew Suominen.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 17, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

Members of Otto Volunteer Fire Department will serve as Pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Reach of Macon County; PO Box 228, Franklin, NC 28744 or The Otto Volunteer Fire Department (Children's Fund) 60 Fire House Rd. Otto, NC 28763.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

There are no affiliations for Kirt Suominen