MITCHELL JAY “Mitch” AZOFF, age 65, of Majesa Hills Lane, Saukville, WI died peacefully at home with family on Wednesday, October 21, 2015.
A craftsman, artisan and family man are a few terms that may define Mitch. Certainly, there are more.
He was born on January 2, 1950 in Philadelphia, PA. The loving son of Harry and Hilda Azoff, Mitch studied at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he met his future wife, Jeanne Kaebisch of Milwaukee. They married on July 21, 1972. While at Whitewater, he and his wife operated Jamps Record Store. This would be the beginning of many adventurous projects for both of them. Mitch started his artistic career in 1974 at the School for American Craftsmen-Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY where he graduated in woodworking and furniture design. Over many years, Mitch would produce, exhibit and sell many wonderful projects.
During the 1970’s and 1980’s, Mitch exhibited his work in major shows across the country and was published in woodworking books and journals. Also during this time, he and his family returned to Wisconsin and opened a series of retail stores promoting and selling products made by American craftsmen. Some of the stores include Wood’n Things of Cedarburg, Stella’s Jewelry and Glass and Backsaw Bay promoting pottery and wood products in Wisconsin and Maryland.
In 1980, the family moved to Saukville where Mitch became interested in real estate and local politics. Mitch became a realtor for Coldwell Banker and Remax locally. He was a member of the Village Board of Saukville and its Planning Commission. After a few years, he and a partner started MP Construction and built numerous homes in Ozaukee county. At this time he built his family home in Saukville.
Upon his retirement in 2010, Mitch’s creative interests took another turn. Coppershot Jewelry was started. He began working copper into earrings, bracelets, necklaces and other related pieces. He developed a unique technique to change the surface of the pieces to create interesting “landscapes”.
A lot can be said about this master craftsman, but to his grandchildren he was “Pappy”. He loved and adored his family. Never afraid to speak his mind, Mitch was a deep thinker, witty and creative, with a heart of gold.
Mitch is survived by his wife Jeanne; his son Aaron (Theresa) Azoff of Hartford; his daughters Rebecca “Bec” (Shawn) Grover of Port Washington and Elizabeth “Ellie” (Ben) Carroll of Arvada, CO; his grandchildren Cicely, Rosalie, Ellis, Maya, Isla, Izabella, Derek and Esme Jay on the way; his father Harry (the late Hilda) Azoff of Philadelphia, PA; his brother Richard (Sheila) Azoff of Woodstock, NY; mother-in-law Mary Ann (the late Tanna) Kaebisch of West Allis; sisters-in-law Susan (Ed Martinez) Dufenhorst of Portland, OR and Carol (Wayne) LePien of Waukesha; his brother-in-law Todd (Lynn) Kaebisch of Boise, ID; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his mother Hilda and his father-in-law Tanna.
Family and friends are invited to gather from 3:30PM to 5:30PM Friday, October 30, 2015 at the POOLE FUNERAL HOME/Crematory, 203 N. Wisconsin Street, Port Washington. Mitch’s life will be celebrated with a service at 5:30PM.
Mitch & I were pals in elementary school in Broomall, PA. I was walking to school with him the first day of first grade when he was hit by a car and put in a full body cast for many months.
We grew up together and played music together in High School, worked at the Diagnostic Center in Philadelphia, and even shared a house on 26th Street in South Philly around 1970.
Although we lost touch, I am saddened to hear of Mitch’s passing, and wish the best for his family, who I never had the chance to meet.
I was saddened to hear about the death of an old friend, Mitch was a very special person and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed anything I remember all the great times we had playing pool, cruising around on the motorcycles, sharing success stories with our building businesses and….. I truly regret that our friendship became a victim of the recession, we both moved in different directions.
If one could only turn back the clock
Best wishes to Jeanne and the rest of the family
Mitch and I enjoyed a great friendship while working at Coldwell Banker. Yes, he was very witty and made me laugh. As I moved away, we lost contact until I found him on Etsy, messaged him and he called to catch up. I am sad to hear of his passing and my thoughts and prayers go to Jeanne and his family.