Charlton
Max Akin Elser, Jr. passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2012.
Max was born on July 25, 1918 at the Presidio, the U.S. Army Base in San Francisco, the son of Colonel Max A. and Mary Janet (Lewis) Elser, Sr. He was the youngest of four brothers, all of whom have pre-deceased him.
Max’s interest from an early on was in mechanics and his early jobs were as Service Manager for General Motors. Later, aircraft mechanics became his interest and his career. During WWII he worked for Curtiss-Wright in Buffalo, New York as a Flight Engineer, testing C46’s and P40’s and other aircraft before they were released to the Army.
After the war he taught Aircraft Mechanics. He owned and piloted his own plane and for a short time was involved in management at Beverly Airport.
Bad health was always a problem for Max through the years and he was finally forced to retire in 1976.
He loved the Masons as did his father before him and enjoyed his membership, becoming Master of Jordan Lodge in Peabody, MA. He was also a Life Member of the Consistory of Scottish Rite Valley of Salem, Past Master’s Assoc. of the North Shore, Knights Templar, Newburyport, Ipswich-Farin Royal Arch Chapter, North Shore Daylight Lodge, in Beverly. He became well known locally as the Mason who gave “The Charge” and he really enjoyed giving it in the various Masonic Lodges.
When Overlook in Charlton was built, it became his obvious choice for a retirement home and he and his wife, Helen, moved there in 2007.
Max is survived by his wife Helen and his two sons; Edson R. Elser of Newburyport and Max A. Elser,III, of Brockton.
Burial and Private Services will be held at the family plot in Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, New York.
The Robert J. Miller-Charlton Funeral Home, 175 Old Worcester Rd., Charlton is assisting Max’s Family with arrangements.
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