Victor Niles Paananen

PAANANEN, VICTOR NILES. Michigan State University professor emeritus, age 75, died of cancer, Sunday, Mar. 24, 2013 in Cambridge, MA. He was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, Jan. 31, 1938 to Niles and Anni Paananen; Victor was married to Donna Jones from 1964 to her death in 2002, and Diane De Santis, who he married in 2011; he was the father of Karl and Neil, and grandfather of Erik and Ava. He was a graduate of Ashtabula Harbor High, 1956, Harvard University AB magna cum laude, 1960, and University of Wisconsin, MA and PhD, 1964 and 1967. Victor retired in 2002 from Michigan State University, where he was a professor since 1968, and served as Assistant Dean of the Graduate School for 5 years, and as the English Department Chairman for 8 years. He had previously taught at Williams College in Massachusetts and Wofford College in South Carolina. He was named honorary fellow at Roehampton Institute, London. He was the author of two books, William Blake and British Marxist Criticism, and numerous articles, reviews, and papers. He was a dedicated political activist, served for many years as a member of the Committee for a Workers' International, and was a founding member of the Labor Party in the United States. He was loved and respected by many. Per his request, a small graveside ceremony will be performed at Bethel Cemetery, Columbus, WI, where he will be interred next to his first wife Donna. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Victor's memory can be made to the Harvard College Fund, Office of the Recording Secretary, 124 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge MA, 02138.

Buonfiglio Funeral Home

Phone: (781) 284-3376

Address: 128 Revere Street Revere MA,

Website: https://www.buonfiglio.com

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