Long-term colleagues praise Tapio Suomi as a hard-working, friendly and versatile professional.
Wednesday was a difficult day for the long-term colleagues of Tapio Suominen, who passed away in the morning To Laura Ruohola, A group for Jarva and Pekka Kaidesojja.
– I knew him very well, we were representatives of the same generation and we did a lot together, commented Jouko Jarva, Suominen’s very close colleague from countless prize competition projects.
Jarva, who currently works as Urheilu’s executive producer, directed and produced, for example, broadcasts of ice hockey and soccer competitions, as well as the Olympic Games, in which Suominen played a significant role in his time.
– At the beginning of the 2000s, sports TV productions changed significantly, when the studio dimension came into play. Tapsa was an excellent performer, who incomparably knew how to take into account the guests of the studio as well as the experts. Although, of course, he is also remembered for his narrations and certainly for his velvety voice, Jarva reminds us.
Although Suominen made his work look easy and relaxed with his versatility and undeniable talent, Jarva saw the truth up close:
– The amount of background work was huge. Tapsa was a really diligent preparer before every project.
Close friend
Laura Ruohola worked in ‘s sports department with Suominen for over ten years.
– A close friend, a top professional and a really good guy. If you needed help, Tapsa always found time for it. He asked me to participate in the 1997 Ice Hockey World Cup home game project, which I really appreciated.
Laura Ruohola said she was very sorry for Suominen’s close circle.
– Her daughter was the most important thing in the world to her.
Pekka Kaidesoja admitted that he was deeply shocked by the sad news. He met Suominen for the last time at the end of last year at the 60th anniversary of Urheilurutu.
– We remembered old incidents and laughed sweetly. He literally taught me by the hand how to make a TV show. The year was 1993. In competitions and trips as young people, things sometimes happened and happened, but if things continued at six o’clock in the morning, Tapsa was there perfectly prepared. The grief is big, says Kaidesoja.