Louis A. Michaels, 80, a resident of Swoyersville, peacefully passed away at home after a four month battle with pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday morning, January 19, 2016.

Born on September 28, 1935, Louis was the son of the late Walter and Mary (Maholick) Michaels. The youngest of eight children, he was a lifelong resident of Swoyersville residing in the family homestead until his death. Known for his prowess on the football field, Lou was one of the greatest athletes to come out of the Wyoming Valley.

Lou started his education at Swoyersville High School where his athletic talent was first noticed. A three sport athlete, Lou was a two way starter on the 1951 Swoyersville Sailors Eastern Conference Championship Football Team. After his sophomore year, Lou went on to finish his high school education at Staunton Military Academy in Virginia. At Staunton, Lou was a four sport letter winner, but it was the on the gridiron where he excelled. Lou received a scholarship to play football at the University of Kentucky from which he graduated in 1958 with a Bachelors of Art Degree in Education. While at Kentucky, Lou became a two-time consensus All American as an offensive and defensive lineman in 1956 and 1957. He was also selected as the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in 1957, and finished fourth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1957. In addition to playing offense and defense, he was a kicker and punter as well. He was the epitome of an ironman – NEVER LEAVING THE FIELD!

Lou went on to have an illustrious 13-year professional career in the NFL. Drafted in the first round, Lou was the fourth overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 1958. In 1961, he went to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1962 and 1963 seasons. It was there that he met the love of his life, Ms. Judy Mis, who was the personal secretary to the Steelers owner, Art Rooney. They were married in 1966 while Lou had moved on to play for the Baltimore Colts. Lou spent the 1964-1969 seasons with the Colts. One of the biggest disappointments occurred during his time with the Colts when they lost to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III. Until his dying day, the memory of that loss remained with him. He finished his career in 1971 with the Green Bay Packers. Lou’s achievements on the field did not go unnoticed. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992; was named one of the top 25 players in the Southeastern Conference from 1950-2000; and was inducted into the National Polish-American Hall of Fame in 1994, an  achievement he was most proud of due to his heritage.

The Agnes Flood of 1972 caused Lou to retire from playing in the NFL. Rather than leave his family in the devastation that occurred, Lou chose to retire. Family was the most important thing in his life, and this is only a small example of his commitment to his family. Upon retirement, Lou owned two taverns, the L&M, Kingston, and Lou Michaels Inn, Pittston. He sold the bars in 1980, and finished his working life as the Athletic Director at the Luzerne County Prison, from where he retired in 2002.

Lou had many other interests outside of football. An avid fan of the ponies, Lou spent the first Saturday in May at the Kentucky Derby for 55 consecutive years. In his later years, he could be found on the golf courses with his sons, Ed and Matt; or with his golf buddy, Billy B. However, the thing that Lou really loved was holding court. He loved telling stories with his pals on the “Back Road”, Hospodars Garage, or his favorite watering hole.

Commitment to the community and giving to others was also very important to Lou. Although he could have lived anywhere, he chose to live in the Valley where he grew up. For over a decade, Lou worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. His Celebrity Golf Tournament raised thousands of dollars to help children of the Valley and their families. He was also an active member of the Swoyersville Lions Club.

A devout Catholic who attended Mass daily, Lou was an active member of Saint Mary of Czestochowa Church which later evolved into Holy Name/Saint Mary’s Parish Community, now consolidated with Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville. He also greatly enjoyed going on religious retreats which he did annually for over 30 years. His vast collection of religious items will be donated to the missionaries in Central America.

Above all things, Lou loved his family. He leaves behind his treasured wife, Judy, with whom he would have celebrated 50 years of marriage on May 28, 2016. Judy was everything to Lou, and she was totally devoted to his care through his courageous battle with cancer to the very end. Lou also leaves behind their loving children: His eldest son, Edward, of Swoyersville, and his wife, Tina, and their children, Christina, Caitlin, and Colby Elizabeth – “Lou’s Angels”; his middle child, Matthew, of Forty Fort, and his wife, Sara, and their children, Louis, his namesake, and Mary Jane, his little princess; and most loved Daddy’s Little Girl, Michele Grochocki and her husband, Mark, who Lou counted as a third son. Michele could do no wrong in her father’s eyes. He is also survived by his brother, Walt, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Lou was preceded in death by his brothers, Stanley, Edward, Joseph, John (Jake), and Thomas; his sister, Frances; and a nephew, Bill, who was more like a brother than a nephew.

Lou’s family would like to thank his family physician and lifelong friend, Dr. Andrew Stuka, for his years of continued compassion. In light of his recent struggles, they would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to Dr. David Greenwald and his staff at Medical Oncology Associates. They would be remiss without recognizing Hospice of the Sacred Heart for their compassionate care during his final days.

A public Mass honoring the life of Louis A. Michaels will be celebrated on Saturday, April 09, 2016, at 11:00 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with the Reverend Joseph J. Pisaneschi, his Pastor, officiating.

At Lou’s request, a private family viewing and funeral service were held on Friday, January 22, 2016. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville, with Monsignor John J. Sempa, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal followed in Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.

In Lieu of Flowers, a donation may be made to Live with Autism, P.O. Box 436, Mountaintop, Pennsylvania 18707, or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter, 2000 Linglestown Road, Suite 201, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110.

To send the Michael’s family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home web-site www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com.