Alexay Merculief Sr.

Lifelong Alaskan Alexay "Adax" Merculief Sr., 83, died peacefully of natural causes June 17, 2008, at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.
A visitation will be from 3 to 4 p.m. today at Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E St. A funeral will be Saturday at the Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church on St. Paul Island.
Alexay "Adax" (pronounced Athaa) was born Aug. 4, 1924, on St. George Island to John and Sarah (Lekanof) Merculief. He served three years in the U.S. Army and had worked in many capacities throughout his life on both St. George and St. Paul.
While interned to Funter Bay during World War II during the evacuation of the Pribilof Islands, he worked as a cook in Juneau.
Alexay and Mary Lou Prokopiof married March 4, 1951, and together raised nine children. He and his family moved to St. Paul in 1966.
Alexay and a friend were presented with the Valor Award in Washington, D.C., on July 15, 1965, for rescuing a schoolteacher and a doctor from the bottom of a cliff in St. George.
Most will remember him working in the butcher shop in St. Paul for many years. He has also worked as a sealer/blubberer, police officer, store clerk, fueler and power plant operator. He semi-retired from the federal government in 1966 and worked various jobs until he fully retired in 1983.
Alexay was a devoted Russian Orthodox Christian and loved to fish, hunt and play volleyball in his early years. He loved music and played many instruments. He enjoyed playing bingo and spending time with his family.
"His children and grandchildren were the sparkle in his eye," his family recalled.
"Alexay spent the last few years battling numerous health issues, but through it all, we never heard him complain or express any negativity. He had a wonderful sense of humor and always had a smile or song for all who knew him. Alexay was loved dearly by his family and was a hero for the strength and endurance he demonstrated throughout his life. He will be greatly missed."
Alexay is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Lou Merculief of St. Paul; daughter, Janet Bourdukofsky of Anchorage; son, Jacob Merculief of St. Paul; daughter, Serafima Lestenkof of St. Paul; daughter, Joann Salenski of Sitka; son and daughter-in-law, Alexay Jr. and Katherine Merculief of Whittier; daughter, Patricia Merculief-Booth of Anchorage; son and his significant other, Laurence "Ron" Merculief and Caroline Nuglene of Anchorage; son, Michael Chercasen of St. George; sister, Nina Lestenkof of St. George; 21 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Stefan Merculief; brothers, Esiah, John and Nikander; and sisters, Lubova, Fervonia and Mauza Williams, Anna Mallette, Mariamna Krukoff and Mary Jane Merculief.