Alés Michalec

TOPSFIELD – Alés Michalec, 49, of Topsfield, died at home unexpectedly of a cardiac incident, Wednesday, November 29. He was a well-known business owner and the beloved husband of Leslie Tanner of Topsfield with whom he shared his life for 17 years; and the devoted and proud father of Alexander Michalec.

Born in Czechoslovakia, Alés was the son of the late Irene Pflegeroua. He was raised and educated in Czechoslovakia until he was 18, when he emigrated to the U.S. and escaped from Soviet control. After arriving in the U.S., he worked three jobs before beginning his career as a successful entrepreneur. He was truly instrumental in building, founding and operating Embassy Freight Systems in Boston, MA and Los Angeles, CA. Alés was a diligent worker and traveled extensively throughout the world, solidifying business relationships.

In his younger years, Alés was an accomplished European handball goalie and later developed an all- encompassing passion for hockey and was known as a pundent. Alés thoroughly enjoyed bringing his son, Alexander to hockey practices and games from the age of five; they bonded over a passionate love for the sport. Alés was so proud of Alexander’s skills, traveling to Europe to watch him and his teammates play in his home country. Alés was admired by many for his knowledge and loyalty to hockey.

Alés’s love for hockey was only overshadowed by his love for his wife Leslie, whom he cherished, and their son Alexander, whom he considered his greatest accomplishment and greatest source of pride. Alés enjoyed spending time Scuba Diving with his son, and diving buddy Norman, his forever friend. Alés also enjoyed spending time at the ocean, outside enjoying nature, and most of all caring for his beautiful home and property, which he took great pride in.

In addition to his loving wife and son, Alés is survived by his sister-in-law Mary Gauvain, her husband David of Salem, NH, his nieces Samantha and Mikaela, and his best friend, Viktor Palicka of Winchester.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, December 6th, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the CUFFE-MCGINN FUNERAL HOME, 157 Maple St., Lynn. His funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home on Thursday, December 7th. Relatives and friends are invited. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alés Michalec Memorial Hockey Scholarship, Bishop Fenwick High School, 99 Margin St., Peabody, MA 01960 or via www.fenwick.org.