Obituaries

Michael R. & Ellen H. Mastros, 63

Michael R. Mastros, and Ellen (Halbert) Mastros, both 63, of Lancaster City, passed away on Sunday, October 21, 2012 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Michael was born in Lancaster and he was the son of the late James and JoAnn (Carmichael) Mastros. He was married to the late Ellen (Halbert) for over 40 years.

Michael was a graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School in 1967, Millersville University in 1971, and earned a Master’s degree from Penn State University in 1975.

Michael was self employed where he owned and operated Mastros Real Estate in Lancaster. He was President Elect of Lancaster County Association of Realtors, and was on the Board of Directors for the Lancaster Mediation Center. Michael was the co-founder of the Lancaster Lock Show and founded the Mediation Services Associates in 1994. He was the recipient of the Lancaster Mediation Center Kraybill Award. Michael also organized, promoted and ran “The Great American Yard Sale to Benefit Homeless Families” in 1988.

Michael and Ellen are survived by his children, Sara Mastros, companion of Brian Charles of New Haven, CT, James Mastros, companion of Jess Robinson of Swindon, England. Also surviving, Michael, are two sisters, Dianne (Mastros) Flory of Columbia, Kathi (Mastros) Metz, wife of Larry of Mountville; One brother, Daniel Mastros of Columbia. He was preceded in death by a brother, James M. Mastros.

(Keep in same body of obit.)

Ellen H. Mastros, 63, of Lancaster passed away Sunday, October 21, 2012. Born in Philadelphia, PA she was the daughter of Nancy (Sickles) Halbert and Michael and Florence Halbert.  She was the wife of the late Michael R. Mastros.

Ellen was a 1971 graduate of Millersville University. She had worked as the office manager for Mastros Real Estate. Ellen served as the secretary and was on the Board at the Lancaster Mediation Center. She helped volunteer at Brecht Elementary School and at the Kids Homeless Shelter Harbor Child. Ellen was of the Jewish faith.

In addition to her children, she is survived by her siblings, Sally Leiderman , wife of Bob Woodcock of Conshohocken,  PA, Janet Alvarez of Havertown, PA and Linda Hart, wife of David of Media, PA. Also surviving, a step brother and step sister, Doug and Louise Lewis, both of CA. She was preceded in death by a stepbrother, Jeff Lewis.

Funeral Services for Michael and Ellen will be held at 11:30AM on Friday, October 26, 2012 in the Chapel of the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 with Rabbi Jack Paskoff officiating. Friends will be received between 10-11:30AM on Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Michael and Ellen’s memory to the Lancaster Mediation Center, 50 North Duke Street

Lancaster, PA 17602, or Brecht Elementary School, (payable to Manheim Township School District), 1250 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. To send the family online condolences, please visit  SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100

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My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Mike and Ellen were not only my neighbors but people I considered friends and in the most high regard. To not have them next door has left a deep hole in my heart. I will never forget them.

Laurie Books

I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers in this time of sorrow.
Priscilla Novak

So sad to hear about their passing. Such nice people, with warm caring hearts, strong work ethic and helpful. Always very giving with their time. They will be missed by many in the real estate community as I know I will miss being able to call upon them for advice.

Regards,
Serena Riedel, Realtor
Prudential Homesale Services Group
North Pointe, Lancaster

I knew Michael & Ellen through the lock collectors shows. They were always the nicest people to me and will be sorely missed. I’m sure Michael is having long conversations with the great inventors of lock history now.

Michelle Kaye

So deeply sorry for your loss, I knew Mike through real estate and serving on the LCAR Board of Directors. Mike was a very fair and reasonable man. He will be deeply missed.
JoAnne Freidly

My sincerest condolences to you and your family. Your parents were wonderful teachers and mentors to those of us privileged enough to take their mediation courses.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in this sad and unexpected time.

Sue Travis

I knew Ellen and Mike through the Lancaster Mediation Center. Their gentle nature and kindness were a great gift to me, and to their community. This world is a better place because of Ellen and Mike. Though their sudden passing has been a terrible shock, they continue to live in their children and in the thousands of lives they touched. Mike trained hundreds of peace-makers through his masterful mediation and divorce mediation trainings, with Ellen serving as a constant and energetic role-player and coach. Ellen’s uplifting Facebook posts often made me smile. Ellen and Mike changed my life for the better, and I will miss them. I wish their children and families gentle healing.

Dann Johns

I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss.  I met Mike and Ellen through LMC and I enjoyed the interactions and many things I learned from both of them.  May the good memories bring peace.

Marilyn McAtee

Your loss is more than I can imagine.  You have my deepest condolences.
Ellen and Mike were among the truly solid people I know in Lancaster.  Their devotion to their faith was a fine example to us all.  Our community is a poorer place for losing them.

I knew them through the Lancaster mediation center. I learned about the art of mediation through them.  Prior to that I had no idea that even was an option. Most recently I studied divorce mediation. Both were active participants and Ellen was an excellent role player, mentor, and always had fresh coffee brewing.  I will truly miss them and there impact on my life.

Juliette Zaengle

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Mike and Ellen. Their profound impact on the community will be felt for generations. Mike and Ellen epitomize passion in their hobbies, ideals and dedication to others. We can only hope to exemplify their behavior and continue to work hard for the benefit of the community.

Jared Miller

I am wishing you and your family members quick healing and comfort.  May this wonderful couple rest in peace.
Kerrie Kentzel

Mike and Ellen were great people.  He sold me my first and almost every subsequent investment property.  He also worked with my on the first home I ever owned for my family. I enjoyed working with him and trusted him on every level.  Ellen would always light up whatever room she was in and truly had an ability to make everyone feel special.  I’ll never forget how she made my daughter, Livia, feel when we would go in for business, having her draw to keep her occupied.  The world was a better place for having them in it.  Anyone who met them was truly blessed to have known such wonderful people. To James and Sara, be assured your immeasurable loss is shared by anyone whose lives were touched by your parents. My condolonces to those family members I have not had the opportunity to meet.  I’m sorry I’m not in Lancaster to say my final goodbyes, but know that thoughts, prayers and fond memories are ever-lasting.

I had the chance to meet Mike only one time and it was very brief.  But we had many wonderful calls and emails to each other.  Mike was a great source of knowledge and history in the realm of old locks and lock companies, put on a successful and popular on-going show when others could not, and was a fair and reasonable man to deal with.  Though Mike had an extensive collection, I was pleased to have been able to find two things he did not yet have this past summer.  He was very grateful to get them.  In a season where so many in the padlock fraternity have left us, Mike was a true giant among them.  I and many others will sorely miss him.  My heartfelt condolences to the family.

David Kings

May God bless Mike and Ellen and keep them close to his heart. Mike and Ellen’s presence in my life was profound, not only as friends, but as mentors and role models showing unswerving goodness and support.

Maggie Boehmler

Mike and Ellen were dear friends to me and my son Weston as we participated in the padlock show circuit. These events just won’t be the same without Ellen and Weston cutting up and making wisecracks during the dinner events.

Sara and James, we are so sorry for your loss. We loved your mom and dad and will dearly miss them.

Scott and Weston Caley

I will miss Mike and Ellen. Their kind and quiet professionalism and their strong belief in the power of mediation impacted many many people and helped shape the way I live and work. This is a tremendous loss for their families, for Lancaster, and beyond.

Alexis Lake

My wife and I were friends of Mike and Ellen through the lock show, they will be missed greatly. Without their hard work the Lancaster lock show would never have happened.

Joe and Tina Kingsmill

We have lost a great pair. Mike completer Ellen, and Ellen made Mike. They did so much for their community and the general public. When you look up the word :special: its defined as Mike and Ellen Mastros. They are missed. May the rest in peace and the best to their family. Thanks so much for all you did. Where you go will be a better place. Be well, and beyond.

Jon J. Kolozvary
Middleburg Hts., Ohio

We were so sorry to hear about the tragic accident that took the lives of two very good people that made an impact in many lives. Even though we are in Florida we want you all to know that our Prayers and Thoughts are with you all. God Bless Each and Every One of You.

Cousin Billy Nies and Evie Nies

Dr. Karen & Jon Kolozvary, We are so sorry for the family’s loss. Where ever they are is a better place for having them. Their enthusiasm, understanding, and sense of fair play will never be forgotten. Mike and Ellen complimented each other. Their work ethic was unmatched.

To the family, Mike and Ellen thought the world of you. Live up to their goals.

Mike always had that way to let things roll off him and look to the bright side in everyone. He was special. We’ll miss both of them, but owe a debt for having them in our life. Be well, and beyond our dear friends.

The entire lock collecting community has received a great blow with the loss of Mike Mastros. Mike was a great promoter of the hobby. We will all miss him and Ellen greatly.

Bob Dix
American Lock Collectors Association
Mentor, Ohio

Over the last 20 years, Mike and Ellen have generously dedicated their time and talents filling a variety of roles as volunteers at the Lancaster Mediation Center (LMC). They have inspired others and forwarded the cause of mediation.   The LMC family is devastated by this terrible and tragic loss of our friends and colleagues, Mike and Ellen.  Our prayers are with the family, especially their children Sara and James.

Bertie Wisotzkey, Executive Director
Lancaster Mediation Center

I knew Mike from grade school, Cub Scouts, and through graduation at J.P. McCaskey. We reconnected in the early 90’s when my wife, Kim Hurst, worked with Mike at the Lancaster Mediation Center.  My daughter was blessed with Ellen’s presence during the after-school program at Brecht Elementary.  Mike sold our house in Lancaster when we moved to Virginia in 1994. This is a tragic loss to the community of two good people. You have our family’s deepest sympathy.

Mike Iannicelli
Chesapeake, VA

Mike and his wife Ellen will be greatly missed by the lock collecting community. He was a great promoter of the hobby and worked hard to establish the Lancaster Lock Show in Pennsylvania. I had just talked to Mike at the Terryville Lock Show on October 6th in Connecticut. I was deeply saddened to hear this tragic news.

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