Elvin D. Straleau

03/27/2002

Elvin D. Straleau, 69, formerly of Sheffield and Great Barrington, died March 27 at his home in Boca Raton, Fla. Born in Great Barrington on Oct. 13, 1932, son of Adolph and Violet McElrath Straleau, he attended local schools and graduated from the former Searles High School in 1950. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served during the Korean War. He had learned to be a watchmaker from his father, who had owned and operated Mahaiwe Jewelers in Great Barrington, now located in Canaan, Conn. After his military service, he settled in Great Barrington to help his father with the business. An expert jeweler, designing and making jewelry and doing watch repairs, he moved to Florida in 1955 and opened the Gulf Stream Jewelers in Boca Raton, which he operated for 30 years. After closing the business, he worked as a property manager until this past March. He was a member of the Kairos Prison Ministry and spent much of his time working in Florida prisons with the prisoners to reform and educate them. He leaves three children, Scott Straleau of Boca Raton, Brian Straleau of Arcadia, Fla., and Kim Jones of Boca Raton, and a sister, Hope Swanson of Ashley Falls. A daughter, Jami Clipson, died in April 2000. Graveside services at the Sheffield Center Cemetery will be announced at a later date. Donations may be made to the Berkshire Taconic Foundation in care of the FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may also be sent to finnerty@bcn.net.

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