Michael "Mike" Eliason

MICHAEL ELIASON (March 25, 1941, to February 12, 2026; Pasadena, CA)

Micheal Eliason died February 12th, 2026, at the age of 84 from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. Michael was born March 25, 1941, in Baltimore, Maryland to Clarence Eliason Jr. and Peggy O'Neill Love. His arrival was a surprise to his parents when he appeared six minutes after his identical twin brother Eric. The chosen name Eric Michael Eliason was split up to accommodate the twins, and neither received middle names. The twins became big brothers to siblings Clarence III (Larry) b. 1942 and Margaret b. 1945. The family moved from Baltimore to South Pasadena in 1956 where Michael attended South Pasadena High School. Two years later they moved to Altadena. Michael and Eric graduated from John Muir High School in 1959.

After High School, Michael and Eric enlisted in the Navy and both served on the destroyer-tender USS Prairie in the Pacific, 1960-1961. After being honorably discharged after two years of service, Michael studied history at Pasadena City College and San Diego State University. He graduated from SDSU with a history degree and a teaching credential. During his college years, Mike worked at the Huntington Library as a page assisting Readers.

Michael and Stephanie Grigsby were married in June 1963 at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, and each launched their careers as public school teachers. They welcomed their son Scott in 1967. Soon after Scott's birth, Michael suffered a traumatic brain injury, which involved a long and difficult recovery and ended his teaching career. After his recovery, Michael was proud to have worked a full 30-year career with the US Postal Service, mostly at the Pasadena main branch. For many years Michael was a member of the Pasadena Presbyterian Church congregation and sang as a baritone member of the choir.

Michael was the people-person of the family; he knew everybody's name and their stories. He genuinely cared about his family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and people of all walks of life. It was only natural that he would find another way to stay connected with people after he retired from the Postal Service. He worked during his "retirement" by returning to The Huntington as a security guard and docent from 2006 to 2020. He loved the library, galleries, conservatory and gardens, and especially the children's garden. Michael was jolly, kind, compassionate, and sweet. He was truly grateful for family, friends, and the joys that life brought. He was an avid collector of stamps and postcards; he could often be found in his makeshift office in the garage working on his collections.

Michael was predeceased by his parents and all of his siblings (Larry d. November 1989; Eric d. May 2025; Margaret d. November 2025). He is survived by his wife (of 63 years!) Stephanie, his son Scott, daughter-in-law Robin, grandchildren Ridley and Zoe, and pet tortoise Clem. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, friends, neighbors, and caregivers. He loved and cared deeply about them all.

In lieu of flowers, the family would love for Michael to be remembered with a contribution to your favorite charity or one of these charities that were meaningful to him:

· The Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery

· Alzheimer's Association

To share condolences, memories, and stories with the family: botscotte@gmail.com; or Scott Eliason, PO Box 309, Fawnskin CA 92333.