OBITUARY: Michael J. “Mike” Elia, 92

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Michael J. Elia, “Mike”, age 92, a life-long resident of Wilmington, passed away peacefully at home on November 25, 2024.

Born at home in Wilmington, MA on May 6, 1932, he was the dear son of the late John C. and Olga (Stavre) Elia.

Mike’s parents immigrated from Albania and raised their children above the family store at the corner of West St. and Rte. 125 in Wilmington. It left Mike with an aversion to long phone calls as the only phone was the public payphone in the front of the store. Mike played football and hockey in High School and went on to graduate from Boston University. After getting out of the Army in 1957, Mike joined his brother John operating Elia’s Country Store (formerly Buck Brother’s) in North Wilmington and spent many years as owner, meat cutter, and community fixture. Mike touched many lives through that store, from countless employees to “regulars” who shopped there almost daily.

Mike married Cynthia Wardwell in 1965 and the two would go on to have many adventures together, including raising their 4 children. Mike always had “ants in his pants” and could never sit still. He was always active skiing and hiking with family and friends in tow. One could also see him taking kids of all ages for rides in his bright yellow dune buggy. His grandchildren kept him young; he skied until almost 80 and never missed an adventure.

Mike was the beloved husband of the late Cynthia (Wardwell) Elia, devoted father of Michael J. Elia, Jr. and his wife Patrice of Tewksbury, Melissa Elia of Wilmington, Christine Elia and her husband Clay Kellam of Bridgewater, NJ, and Jon Elia of Wilmington. Loving “Papa” of Matthew Elia, Nicole Elia, Clay Kellam, Alex Kellam, and Natalie Kellam. Dear brother of the late John Elia, Helen Pilla, and Olga Christo. Mike is further survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Family and friends will gather for Visiting Hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Friday, November 29th from 3:00-6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael’s memory may be made to Local Heroes, Inc., P.O. Box 536, Wilmington, MA 01887.

To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.