Michael W. Salius

Michael W. Salius died peacefully at his home in Torrington on June 29, 2021, a few miles from where he grew up in the city’s west end. With him was his wife, Elaine Ruwet Salius: Mike’s constant companion for over fifty-one years, who cared for him lovingly – and kept him laughing – throughout his illness.

Along with Elaine, Mike is survived by his daughter, Erin Michael Salius; his son-in-law, Matthew Borushko, and his two granddaughters, Sadie and Emeline, all of Easton, MA. Being with them was his greatest joy. Mike was predeceased by his two older brothers, Jack and Tim.

After graduating from Torrington High School in 1965, Mike earned degrees from UConn and the University of Hawaii. He spent a rewarding career in the field of strategic communications, including stints at Connecticut Mutual and running his own business, Salius Communications. A much-admired and well-respected colleague and boss, Mike built relationships with his coworkers that lasted a lifetime. In retirement, Mike and Elaine split their time between Torrington and Cape Cod, where their condo in Orleans allowed them to continue their shared love of the ocean.

Mike’s life was enriched by his family and friends. He relished good times with his extended family of brothers- and sisters-in-law, his nieces and nephews, and his old friends – some of whom went all the way back to his Beechwood Avenue days. As a host, he was known to be warm and welcoming, always ready with your favorite drink and genuinely eager to hear how you’ve been. A wonderful cook, he took pride in carrying forward the traditions and recipes he learned from his parents. He had lifelong passions for literature and music, and he was proud of his Italian and Lithuanian heritage. Mike loved telling stories about the old days with his signature wit. He was a passionate Brooklyn Dodgers fan as a kid, and later followed the Red Sox and, with special intensity, the UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams.

A memorial gathering will be held on August 7, 2021, at Fairview Farm Golf Course, 300 Hill Road, Harwinton, CT, from 2:00-5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Yale Interstitial Lung Disease Program, Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Fund, c/o Dr. Erica Herzog, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, PO Box 208057, New Haven, CT, 06520-8057.