Michael Shafkalis Obituary
Michael Shafkalis, at the age of 64, left a life filled with many who loved him, adored him, and respected him for the man he was. To some, he was known as a father, husband, and brother who loved his family fiercely. To others, he was known as a loyal friend, a respectable business owner, an inspiring leader, a friendly neighbor, and a man who held the highest standards of integrity, grit, compassion, and purpose in his daily life.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in Taylor, Michigan, Michael was surrounded by parents, grandparents, a sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved him. Growing up in a Greek household with immigrant parents from Cypress, he had to learn English when he began public school. He was put to work from a young age at the multiple restaurants his family owned, and attended the meat route with his father to deliver goods to local restaurants in the Detroit area. However, Michael's passion since little was always playing sports. You could find him playing wiffle ball or hockey in the neighborhood streets, or on the bus going to see the Detroit Tigers play from the season tickets his father got him. He immersed himself in school basketball, football, and baseball year round where he developed some of the most important, life long friendships he held most dearly. He later continued his football career by playing at Michigan State University (MSU) as a strong safety while receiving a Bachelor of Economics degree.
Shortly after he graduated from MSU, his father suffered from a heart attack. Michael immediately retired him, took over a struggling meat route, and stepped into the role as head of his family at the age of 21. As his life progressed, he received some of his greatest blessings. He met his wife, Susan Merriam, and married on May 14, 1988. They had three beautiful children: Nicholas, Andrew and Sophia, and later welcomed their dog, Max, into the family. As a young father raising his family in Rochester Hills, Michigan, he coached his son's basketball and football teams, later coaching boys basketball at Lamphere, Seaholm, and Lake Orion High School. As much as he lived a life filled with abundance and fulfillement, the most important lesson he taught his family was to embrace the time when life will have it's challenges. He had the strongest will and mental stamina, pushing through any obstacle he faced. Quitting was never an option for him, and resilience led to much of his success and miracles he witnessed throughout his years.
Michael always found joy in the simple things. It only took a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, a nice sunny day with the windows open, a great sports game on TV, David Sanborn playing on the speakers, good food (and plenty of it), or being with his family and friends to truly be happy. One could find him driving down the road in his Nick's Wholesale food truck, making daily deliveries to customers. Others could find him at the gym, working on projects around the house, cooking in the kitchen at Mike's Coney Island, or grilling Sunday dinners on the back deck. It would be rare to find him wearing anything but Levis, a T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up, size 14 tennis shoes, and a sweatshirt on the days that were cooler. Many would laugh from his witty personality, bringing smiles on the faces of all who encountered him.
As we remember the life Michael lived, may we honor his legacy by living our lives as he did until our maker calls us home. What a sweet reunion it will be when we see him again, reunited eternally, because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Because Christ lives, death hath no sting and the grave no victory. Until we meet again, you are in our hearts, standing by us always.
Visitation Friday 3-8pm with 7:30pm Trisagion at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile (SHELBY TOWNSHIP). Funeral Saturday Instate 10:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1610 Brewster Road (btw. Dutton & Tienken Rds.) Rochester Hills, MI until time of Service at 11:00am. Interment Van Hoosen Jones Cemetery.
