Dave "Whitey" "Whitey" Aittama

David "Dave" H. Aittama, also known as "Whitey", age 86, of Roscommon, died on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025, at his home in the presence and comfort of family.

Dave was born December 12, 1938, in Calumet, Michigan, the son of Rudolph and Erma (Langen) Aittama.

Dave graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit, Michigan in 1956. In May 1959, he enlisted in the Air Force and served 6 years in the National Guard as Airman First Class.

Dave married Elaine J. Vermeulen on May 6, 1961, in Detroit, Michigan.

Dave worked in the home construction and contracting business in the Detroit area. Later in his career he owned his own business building homes and doing home remodeling. There is not a trade Dave did not master. A day on the job was sun-up to sun-down, and often included weekends. He was known to use his vacation to help friends and family with their home construction projects.

When Dave was not working, he was busy with his sporting interests. His favorite sport was ice hockey. He played competitive hockey for over 60 years, earning many individual awards and team championships. Those who played with Dave knew him as "WHITEY". Dave was also a water-skier, bare footer, bicyclist, swimmer, and golfer. He made it clear that he was NOT a runner. Dave loved to golf and coordinated a group of guys that continue to call themselves "Whitey's Tuesday Group". For decades Whitey lined up tee times and kept the stats, all by hand in his notebook.

Dave will be remembered as the guy that showed up. He never missed an event, played hurt, and played hard. He also made sure that his grandchildren and neighborhood kids got to their events. If you needed help during a snowstorm, he would find a way to get to you. Dave was the first one there, and the last to leave.

Dave had a great sense of humor and could tell jokes with the best of them. He always had a new joke to tell and could make even the most serious situations just a little easier.

Dave took friendship to the next level. If Whitey was your friend, you had a brother.

Dave will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his son, Craig (Terry) Aittama of Plover, Wisconsin; daughter, Heidi (Mike) Aittama-Kirchner of Commerce, Michigan; grandchildren: Kara Aittama (Cameron Small) of Wheatridge, Colorado, Lindsay Aittama of Denver, Colorado, William (Alissa) Aittama, Grand Blanc, Michigan, Dean Aittama, Keego Harbor, Michigan, Hannah (Robert) Mathews of Salt Lake City, Utah, Laura Kirchner of Dallas Texas; great grandchildren: Victoria, Alex and Maya; sisters, Edith Neiderer of Muckwanago, Wisconsin and June Tervo of Brighton, Michigan; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and brothers, Paul and Gordon.

Dave's family will be celebrating his life at Baker's of Milford, 2025 South Milford Road, Milford, Michigan 48381, on Sunday, August 17, 2025, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Visitation is from 1:00-2:00 p.m. A short memorial service will take place at 2:00 p.m. After the service, Craig and Heidi welcome family and friends to join them for lunch.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner and Walsh Funeral Directors, Roscommon.