Michael I. Traffie

Michael Isaac Traffie, 84, of Ashby, Mass. died on January 8, 2026 in Worcester, Mass. He was born to Isaac and Jennie (Pyhala) Traffie on April 5, 1941 in Biwabik, Minn. After high school and attending college for electrical engineering he went to New England. He was joined in Holy Matrimony to Katherine Ann Raisanen of Dublin, NH on August 17, 1963. They made their home and raised their family in Ashby, Mass. To them were born 16 children, two of whom died during infancy.

Mike worked for various construction companies until he started his own business. He was interested in woodworking, and started The Cabinet Shop where he, with his sons, was able to make custom kitchens and woodworking projects in residential and commercial settings.

Later on, Mike revisited his interest in Amateur Radio which he enjoyed during his youth on the farm. Through the inspiration of God, the idea for an antenna, modeled after the snowflake, came to him as written in Job 38:22 "Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?" This became the Hex-Beam® Antenna which he designed, developed, manufactured, and sold around the globe.

Mike had many other interests which allowed him to express his God given creativity with his family. Some of these were photography, gardening, aviation, his hand built "Putt-Putt" car, and designing, building, and flying model aircraft.

He was a partaker of Christ's Redeeming Work on the Cross of Calvary. He spoke of it to his family and loved ones, to the listeners at the services in the Apostolic Lutheran Church, and to all who came into his life with whom he could share his Saviour's love for him. He would say, "There is nothing to be compared to the Grace and Favor of God."

The same conviction he had in his Christian faith applied to his daily work and life: A Love for The Truth. He would say, "Any job worth doing is worth doing well". Together, with Katherine, it was their lives' mission to teach this to their children. A favorite verse of his: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 1:4

Mike was preceded in death by: his parents; two infant sons, Matthew Paul and Christopher; a daughter, Lisa Niemela; a son-in-law, Daniel Olson; a daughter-in-law, Kara; a brother and his wife, Daniel and Darlene Traffie; a sister-in-law, Rhonda Traffie (wife of Wayne); a sister-in-law, Jill Traffie (wife of Matthew); a sister and her husband, Sophie and Steve Frost; and a brother-in-law, Steve Matson (husband of Nancy).

He is survived by: his dear wife of 62 years, Katherine; Children: Karina and her husband Jim Seppanen; Carl (husband of the late Kara Seppala); Laura; Sara (widow of Daniel Olson) and her husband Mark Seppanen; Julia; Erik Niemela (husband of the late Lisa); Eva and her husband Ed Sauvola; Brenda and her husband Chester Rhoades; Cynthia and her husband Todd Whitney; Jonathan and his wife Stephanie (Olson); Timothy and his wife Leona (Rhoades); Mark and his wife Krysia (Haapala); Ted and his wife Beth (Niemela); and James; 70 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren;

Siblings: Al and his wife, Kathy; Susan; Jack and his wife, Arlene; Ernie and his wife, Marti; Wayne; Matthew; James and his wife, Judy; and Nancy Matson.

Calling hours will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at the Apostolic Lutheran Church, 117 Goen Rd, New Ipswich, NH. 

His funeral service will follow at 12:00PM. 

Burial will take place in the spring.