Elmer Fay Malaguerra, 99, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was living at the Peninsula Family Care Home in Corneluis, NC and was under the
care of Via Health Partners Hospice and Palliative Care. Elmer’s family is very grateful for the love and kindness he received from all his caregivers.

Elmer was born on April 14, 1926, in Oakville, Ontario, Canada to Neva Matilda McCarty and Lyman Robert Malaguerra. When he was a young child Elmer moved to Anderson, IN with his
mother and two older sisters, Margaret and Ila, to live closer to his mother’s family. Elmer grew up in Anderson and graduated from Anderson High School in 1944. Immediately after graduating, he enlisted in the Navy and proudly served for the remainder of World War II aboard the USS Lacerta in the Pacific. In July 1946 Elmer returned to Indiana and attended Indiana University on the GI Bill. Elmer reconnected with several high school classmates and while attending a party at a friend’s home, he met the host’s younger sister, Doris, and spent the entire evening in the kitchen talking to her. Elmer and Doris were married in Anderson, IN on June 26, 1949. They were married for 72 loving years before Doris passed away in 2021.

Elmer and Doris had 3 children, Ann, Mark, and Jeff, who have wonderful memories of growing up in a loving, fun-filled home. Special times included camping trips, vacations, Christmas holidays, and many other fun family gatherings and celebrations. Elmer worked for General Motors at the Fisher Body plant in Marion, IN for 30 years before retiring in 1986.

After retiring, Elmer and Doris moved to Asheville, NC and spent several years traveling, exploring the NC mountains, volunteering, and enjoying the local art culture. Elmer also started
woodworking as a new hobby and became a talented craftsman. His family proudly owns several pieces of furniture, jewelry boxes, and birdhouses he created. In 2012 Elmer and Doris moved to The Glens at Birkdale, an active adult community in Huntersville, NC, where they enjoyed many happy years spending time with their close friends in the community. Elmer was a kind, loving man and a wonderful husband and father. His primary goal was to make sure his family was loved, happy, and well taken care of. He was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and they all loved him dearly. Everyone who knew him and was fortunate enough to call him a friend experienced the same kind, caring person his family knew. He was a quiet man, so when he did talk, you knew it was something important.

He is survived by his 3 children, Ann Malaguerra Young (Chris), Mark Malaguerra (Scott), and Jeff Malaguerra (Debbie); his grandchildren Leah Wilson, Erin Parilla (Jeff), Seth Malaguerra (Laura), and Colin Malaguerra (Summer); and his great-grandchildren, Tyler Parilla, Jacob Parilla, Olivia Wilson, Asher Malaguerra, Silas Malaguerra, Mara Malaguerra, Iliana Malaguerra, and Cybil Malaguerra.

A Celebration of Life with family and friends will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

Carolina Cremation is honored to serve the Malaguerra family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.