Edward "Mike" Arthur Elavsky

With heavy hearts and a profound sense of loss we are sad to announce the passing of Edward Arthur “Mike” Elavsky, 93, of Northfield, MN, and formerly of Westborough MA, Endwell, NY and Lost Lake, MI, who left us peacefully on September 21, 2018.

Born in Munising, MI on March 4th, 1925, Ed was a Marine Corps Veteran who saw considerable action in the Pacific during World War Two, an Electrical Engineering graduate of Michigan Technological University, as well as a lifelong employee, for 41 years, at IBM in project management.

A selfless soul who had nothing but kindness in his heart for his family, friends and the people of the communities in which he lived. Ed approached life with a quick wit and an amazing sense of humor.  He was devoted to assisting those in need through his work as a community volunteer for Meals on Wheels and St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen in Binghamton, NY.  Ed humbly served as an active member in many capacities at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Endwell, NY, and as a good steward in his neighborhood, where he was quick to assist his neighbors in need. Throughout his life, Ed always considered the needs of others before his own, and as such - in thought, word and deed – embodied the Christian principles and values he so dearly believed in.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents Meri (Gotch) & Michael Elavsky, his sisters Mary Wirtanen, Anne Redfield & Elaine Elavsky, and his brothers Michael, Jon, Victor & Jerome Elavsky and his wife June Elavsky.

Ed is survived by his brother Henry Elavsky of Creve Coeur, MO and his sisters Ruth & Pauline “Polly” Elavsky of Munising, MI, his children Diane Root of Southborough, MA, Kathleen Brinton of Northfield, MN and Michael Elavsky of Krnov, Czech Republic, their spouses, D.J., Stephen and Steriani, his grandchildren Sage & Reed Brinton, Misha, Elanca & Natalka Elavsky and Daniel & Stephanie Root as well as many loving in-laws in Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Colorado, and elsewhere.

The life of Edward Elavsky will be celebrated on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the Eden Lutheran Church in Munising, Michigan.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Ann Gonyea conducting his funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Military honors and burial will immediately follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Eden on the Bay, Eden Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1150 West-M28, Munising, MI 49862.

An additional service will be held in Massachusetts, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 27 Main Street in Southborough, MA at 2 pm on October 7.

For this Christmas Holiday Season, monies have been donated in Mike’s name to purchase the poinsettia plants to stock the poinsettia trees for Pastor Christine, the Staff and Community Members at the Chapel in the Northfield Retirement Community.

While these later years gradually took away the quality of life Ed desired, his optimism and greater concern for those around him never wavered. With a twinkle in his eye and his particular sense of humor, he delivered cheerfulness, warmth and love to all he encountered.

Ed’s passing, while heartbreaking to us, also means that he is once again united with his loving wife B. June (Wakefield) Elavsky of 52 years, they were married on February 10th, 1962, as well as many other predeceased family members and friends who brought so much meaning and joy to his life. As such, it gives us comfort to know that in death, as in life, he is still watching over us, with the special care and love that only he could provide and we valued so much.