Michael A. Golfis

Michael A. Golfis (50) of Iron River passed away unexpectedly on May 6, 2016 at his home in Iron River, Michigan.  He was born April 26, 1966 to George and Rose Golfis in Iron Mountain and attended the Iron Mountain Schools, graduating from Iron Mountain High School with the Class of 1984. He played basketball and football all throughout his school career. He also enjoyed playing many years of Tri-County League Softball. After graduation he attended Michigan Tech University briefly before entering the sales industry. He started at People’s Super Market in Iron Mountain. After that, he worked for Angeli’s in Iron River, Frito-Lay,  and then RAS Distributing as a Route Service Manager for Keebler before he was injured and disabled.  He married Holly Ann Grahn on June 19, 1993. The couple would have celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary this June. The couple have three children: Gabriel (20), Alexis (19), and Jared (13). Michael has three brothers and a sister: Alan Golfis, Steve Golfis (Cheryl), Tom (Lynn) Golfis, and Barb (Jim) Palkki. He had numerous nieces and nephews.  He was a 20 year member of Grace Covenant Church. At Grace Covenant Church, he was actively involved in volunteerism as a confirmation teacher, sound manager, and mentor to many young middle and high school children. He also participated in several mission trips with his church. Michael was an enthusiastic fan of Wykon Sports when his children and their friends were playing. He was heavily involved in his children’s sports lives. He coached both his sons in basketball, his oldest son in football, and his daughter in basketball, softball, and track. One of his passions was announcing youth football games. People could always distinguish Michael’s loud, clear voice.  Recently Michael found a passion for making model cars and created many friendships through this network. He found this passion by going to the short track races with his brothers throughout the Upper Peninsula and Northeastern Wisconsin. He enjoyed canning fruit, vegetables, and salsa. This was made possible through the countless hours he and his family spent tending their garden. Michael loved everything about the outdoors. With his family he went camping, hunting, and fishing. Michael had many hobbies, but spending time with his family was most important to him. Michael always wanted to make lasting memories with his family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents in 1988 and 1995, and his father in-law, Norman Grahn in 2015. He is survived by his wife, children, siblings, nieces, nephews, numerous cousins, and his best friend, his dog Dozer.  Visitation will be held Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 12:30 to 3:15 p.m. at the Grace Covenant Church, 316 Jasper Street, Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 3:30 p.m. with Rev. James Swanson to officiate. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael A. Golfis, please visit our flower store.