Emanuel 'Mike' Aivaliotis, of Oakmont, PA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of Elaine (Apostolos) Aivaliotis. Son of the late Christ and Maria (Pastis) Aivaliotis of Ikaria, Greece. Son-in-law of the late Chris and Henrietta (Moraitis) Apostolos of Ikaria, Greece. Devoted father of Christ (Alice Tullar) Aivaliotis, Maria (Izzy Machado) Aivaliotis, Nicole (Zach) Tripoulas, and Erica (Stefanos) Fouskas. Proud papou of Ava Tullar, Chickie and Mike Aivaliotis, Justin Machado, Eve Tripoulas, and Isidoros and Elena Fouskas. Loving brother of Chrisse, Jackie, Vessie, and Anna. Wonderful uncle to his many nephews and nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces, and great-grandnephews and great-grandnieces.

Mike was born in Gary, Indiana in 1951. In 1956, the family moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Mike graduated from Baldwin High School and Duquesne University with a Master's Degree in Education. He considered a career in teaching but was pulled towards the painting contracting industry, where he thrived throughout his life.

Mike met the love of his life Elaine in 1965, and they married in 1975. Their relationship endured throughout these past 60 years because of their deep love for one another. They began their married life in Pittsburgh, where they had Christ and Maria, and where Mike worked for J.L. Manta. They then made the move to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1983, where they had Nicole and Erica, and where Mike worked for G.C. Zarnas and later Utilities Associates. Their final move was back to Pittsburgh in 1992, when Mike accepted a position with Avalotis Painting, where he worked until he retired.

Mike followed in his father's footsteps and was actively involved in the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America from a young age, planning fundraising activities with his local chapter's youth in the late 1960s-early 1970s, in what was the original Pan-Icarian youth club. He continued his service to the Brotherhood throughout his life, ultimately serving at the national level as a Foundation Director and as a Supreme President.

He was also a member of the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church of Oakmont, PA; the FOF, often emceeing their fundraising events; and volunteered as an election poll worker in his community.

Mike treated everyone equally, never differentiating because of age, speaking candidly to all, which drew people to him like a magnet, from the neighborhood kids running to join when a teenage Mike decided to come outside and play, to his elders, who he'd have laughing to tears with his irreverent humor. This included his late papou-in-law Pete Apostolakis, who, at age 100, Mike playfully wrestled to Pete's dismay and joy.

He enjoyed holding court with family, friends, and work colleagues, passionately sharing his views on topics important to him, and of course entertaining as only Mike could, with his stories, jokes, and original songs that he wrote and performed on the piano or guitar - some beautiful, some laugh-out-loud funny.

Mike was a wonderful neighbor and a great supporter and friend of the local shops and restaurants, where everyone knew him by name. He even left a mark with the doctors and hospital staff who treated him, making them smile and laugh, as he struggled through his health issues.

But Mike's greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, especially enjoying vacations and holidays together. His love of Christmas was known to all, as he created a wonderland inside and outside, making the holiday magical for his family. And Christmas dinner wasn't complete without a family rendition of the Pogues' Fairytale of New York. Mike's last addition, after having to cut down a massive pine tree in the front yard, was to hire an artist to create a beautiful sculpture of Santa and his elves from the remaining stump, making sure to keep the spirit of Christmas alive year-round.

There are not enough words to describe all that Mike was and meant to those who loved him. If you knew him, you understood what an amazingly unique person he was, truly one-of-a-kind.  And while his physical presence will be dearly missed, he will certainly live on through those of us who have our own memorable Mike adventures and stories to share. As Mike loved to say, "What a party."

Friends and family will be received on Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16, from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm, with a Trisagion service on Sunday at 7:00pm, at the BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC., at 421 Allegheny Avenue, Oakmont, PA 15139. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 17 at 11:00am, at Holy Dormition of Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church, 12 Washington Avenue, Oakmont, PA 15139, with additional visitation held prior to service from 10:00-11:00am. Interment to follow at The Verona Cemetery in Oakmont. For those unable to attend the funeral service, it will be live streamed via 'Dormition Theotokos-Oakmont, PA' YouTube page.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pan-Icarian Foundation, P.O. Box 79037, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. http://www.pan-icarian.com/foundation/