Carl Selavka

Carl Selavka, age 95, of Sun City Center, Florida, was called by the Lord on October 11, 2023. After a brief Hospital stay, Carl said farewell peacefully in the loving hands and hearts of his sons Michael Phillip, Edgar Lester, and Carl Matthew.

Carl lived a vibrant life, enjoying multiple careers involving military service as both an enlisted Marine and Army Officer (LTC; Ret), Sports Leader, Tradesman as an HVAC Tech, Farmhand and Arborist; as well as a Shriner and American Legionnaire.

Born on January 17, 1928, he was the second youngest of 8 children born to Russian immigrants Michael Selavka and Tekla Borodin in Windham, Connecticut. Carl fought with the Marines in WWII, then attended the University of Connecticut where he quarterbacked the football team to the Yankee Conference Championship (in 1952). He returned to the military as a U.S. Army officer pilot – with unique selection onto Test Pilot Teams for the Sikorsky CH-54 Skycrane and a Grumman fixed-wing spy plane – and served during the Korean War and Vietnam Conflict (two tours). During his service, Carl was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and multiple Air Medals including one with the Valor device.

Carl retired from the Army after 22 years then obtained a master's degree in education from Central Connecticut State College before continuing as an educator and innovator in the field of athletics at the High School level in Portland, East Hampton, and North Stonington (Connecticut) and Hadley (Massachusetts). He coached basketball at the college level (Westfield State College) as well baseball for American Legion teams throughout New England.



Carl had married Janet Smith of Windsor, Connecticut in 1953 and – after his military retirement – settled in Middle Haddam Connecticut in 1970 where they continued to raise their three sons and resumed careers in education. When Janet was offered the Principal position at Hopkins Academy, they eagerly relocated to Hadley, Massachusetts. Carl continued in athletics as the Hopkins Academy girls' basketball coach for many years. During off-seasons Carl spent countless happy years working on the Goulet family farm in Hadley. Always seeking to develop new skills, Carl obtained a license as an HVAC technician and took courses to become an arborist.



Carl and Janet moved to Sun City Center, Florida in 2009 to continue their 25 years of New York Yankees preseason training camp passion. They quickly immersed themselves in the community as volunteers in the Security Patrol and singing in choirs at the Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church and Ruskin United Methodist Church. Carl enjoyed woodworking with the Sawdust Engineers and sang with the Sun City Center Men's Chorus for over a decade.



Carl will be fondly remembered by his 3 sons, 6 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren – as well as the extended Selavka and Smith families throughout the United States – as a leader, teacher, and supportive mentor whose wry sense of humor made everyone smile as he entered any room.

If you wish to be notified of a Memorial Celebration to be held in the future – or to coordinate charitable contributions in Carl's honor – please contact the family using akvales@gmail.com.