Carl Selavka

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

Carl lived an incredibly 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) - before joining the U.S. Army as an officer to pilot both rotary and fixed wing aircraft 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.

Retiring after 22 years of military service, Carl obtained a Masters in Education degree 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; as well as Hadley, Massachusetts. He coached basketball at the college level (Westfield State College) as well as baseball for American Legion teams throughout New England.

Carl married Janet Smith of Windsor, Connecticut on December 19, 1953 and, after settling in Middle Haddam, Connecticut in early 1970, they continued to raise their three sons and resumed their careers in education. When Janet was offered the Principal position at Hopkins Academy, they eagerly relocated to Hadley, Massachusetts, where Carl continued in athletics as the Hopkins Academy girls basketball coach for many years. During the off season, Carl truly enjoyed working on the Goulet family farm in Hadley. Always seeking to expand his skills, Carl obtained a license as an HVAC technician and also expanded his knowledge by taking courses to become an arborist.

Carl and Janet moved to Sun City Center, Florida in 2009 to more conveniently continue their 25 years of New York Yankee preseason training camp passion. They quickly immersed themselves in the community as volunteers in the Security Patrol and singing in the choirs at the Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church and the 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.