In government, it’s rare to find officials who care more about helping people than following some dusty rule book to the letter.
Fortunately for Oxford and Addison residents, John T. Elsarelli was such an official. He was truly one of the good guys.
The longtime building officialfor Addison Township and Oxford Village passed away December 27, 2005 after an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer ? a disease Elsarelli faced with dignity, courage and humor. He was 51 years old.
Friend Thad Lambiris, an officer for the Oxford Village Police, said Elsarelli didn’t ‘dwell? on his cancer, he was more interested in doing his job and living life.
‘One thing John wanted to do was live life to its fullest, especially after he found out he had cancer,? Lambiris said. ‘Either you get busy living or you get busy dying. John got busy living.?
Diagnosed with cancer in June 2004, Elsarelli started building a cabin last year in Hawks, Michigan as a legacy for his three sons, who helped with the construction.
‘Most people would put the hammer down and say, ‘Why start building it now because I’m not going to be around to enjoy the fruits of my labor? ? not John,? Lambiris said.
Professionally, Elsarelli was well-liked and respected.
‘Easy to work with … understanding … helpful … honest? is the way Addison Treasurer Dan Alberty described Elsarelli, who held the position of building/zoning official there from 1988 until his passing.
‘He always made sure the work being done for homeowners was done well,? he said. ‘He looked out for people.?
Elsarelli didn’t let government get in the way of doing his job, according to Alberty, a longtime friend. He ‘tried to handle things? without making people jump through a lot of bureaucratic hoops. ‘People were more important to him,? the treasurer said.
As long as everything was built safely and legally, Elsarelli, himself a critic of government in general, didn’t believe in drowning residents in a sea of rules and regulations.
‘He was very practical,? Alberty said.
As a person, Alberty noted Elsarelli was ‘very sharp? with a ‘quick wit,? great sense of humor and a willingness to always let you know exactly where he stood on an issue.
‘He was never at a loss to give you his opinion,? he said. ‘He didn’t hide his feelings or emotions.?
Good food and good conversation were two of the things Elsarelli loved most in life, according to Lambiris, especially when he could combine the two.
Whether it was bringing breakfast to Oxford Police dispatcher Tony VanHouten or having lunch with friends at Louie’s Food & Spirits in Lakeville, food was a conversation-starter to Elsarelli and meals were definitely a social affair.
‘He wanted to talk to people. He loved to talk to people,? Lambiris said. ‘You’d get to know him real quick.?
‘The first time we ever really did anything together, he invited my whole family out to his house,? Lambiris recalled.
Elsarelli was a 1973 graduate of Brother Rice High School and attended Lawrence Institute of Technology where he studied civil engineering. He was a 23-year resident of Addison Township.
Over the years, Elsarelli worked as a surveyor for Darin & Armstrong Construction Co. and J.A. Fredman Construction Co., in sales at Prudential Insurance Co., and as a building inspector for the city of Pontiac and West Bloomfield Township. He owned and operated the now-defunct Oakland Hardware on Rochester Rd. in Addison for nine years.
A building/zoning official for Addison Township for 17 years, Elsarelli went to work as the Building/Zoning/Planning Department administrator for the Village of Oxford in 2000. He continued to serve both communities until his death.
Outside of work, Elsarelli enjoyed being on the National Ski Patrol for 31 years, serving as a board member for the Lakeville Lakefront Homeowners Association and volunteering as a den leader for the Boy Scouts of America. He was a proud member of the National Rifle Association.
In his free time, he also enjoyed snowmobiling and water-skiing with friends.
‘He was really adventurous. He loved to go out and do things, try new things,? Lambiris said.
Elsarelli was a beloved husband to Marilyn for 26 years and a loving father to Thomas, Mark and James.
‘He was just my best friend,? Marilyn said. She described him as being ‘fun? and ‘fair? with ‘a lot of high values? and opinions.
‘He was respectful of himself and other people,? Marilyn said.
Lambiris recalled fondly how much Elsarelli ‘loved his family.?
When the two took trips up north together, ‘Within an hour-an-half, two hours (on the road), he would make at least three or four phone calls home talking to his kids, his wife. He couldn’t leave for a few days.?
‘He was constantly checking in on everybody,? Lambiris said. ‘He was always thinking about and always worried about his kids and wife.?
Elsarelli was fondly known as ‘Jackie? to his seven brothers and sisters. In addition to his family, Elsarelli’s also survived by his good friends Bob Smith, Pat Hermann, Dan Alberty, Oxford Village Police Officer Thad Lambiris and Sgt. John Ousnamer of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.
He was the son of Irma and preceded in death by his father Edward.
Funeral services were held December 31, 2005 at the Bossardet Chapel Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors in Oxford. Interment was at Lakeville Cemetery in Addison. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Michigan.