Mati Kiin

Mati Kiin, age 72, of West Stockbridge died Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Albany Medical Center after a sudden illness. Born in Wollongong, Australia on May 6, 1951, Mati was a son of Estonian refugee parents, Leonard Kiin and Vaike Sucharov. He and his family moved from Australia to Lakewood, NJ when he was twelve. In high school, he exceeded at soccer, shotput and spent many hours with friends surfing off Manasquan Beach. Mati went on to earn two Masters Degrees, one from American International College in Human Technology and one from the Visionary School of Suffolk University, a program that taught others how to produce award-winning documentaries about nonprofit groups.

Mati moved to the Berkshires from California in 1981. He was employed at Berkshire Mental Health Center as a Crises Clinician and a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.  He then worked for a number of years as Director of BFAIR.  After receiving his MA from the Visionary Program, Mati became the founder and owner of kiinMEDIA, foundBoyFilms and Western Mass Legal Video. He was a creator of mission driven media for organizations and people engaged in the arts, education and systems for social change. Several of Mati’s projects have screened in film festivals and he was a nationally certified legal video specialist.

Mati was a curious, loving and insightful man. He used his abilities to help others whenever he could. He adored his family, especially his children, who were the light of his life. He was so proud of each of them. In younger years, he was an avid snowboarder and windsurfer. He loved watching surfing competitions on television and was very proud of his Estonian heritage.

He married Christina Bardwell on June 20, 1993. This year they would have celebrated 30 years of marriage together. In addition to his beloved wife, Mati is survived by three children, Leilan Kiin and Eitan Kiin, both of San Francisco, CA, and Juri Kiin of Salem, MA. He also leaves many close friends in the US and extended family in Australia and Estonia.

A celebration of Mati’s life is planned for late September in West Stockbridge. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, to keep Mati’s generous spirit close to their hearts and that memorial contributions be made to the Berkshire Immigrant Center, 67 East Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.  Cards of sympathy can be sent to PO Box 314, West Stockbridge, MA 01266.