Michael “Yankee Mike” Elmo Pulkkinen
April 23, 1953 – July 13, 2018
Michael Pulkkinen, 65, of Carlos, passed away on Friday, July 13, 2018 at home with his loving wife by his side. A Life Tribute Celebration will be at 1pm, Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Centers Bryan-College Station. Cremation Services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral Cremation Centers Bryan-College Station.
Michael was born to Richard E. and Barbara Jean (Thorne) Pulkkinen in Island Falls, Maine on April 23, 1953. He was the oldest of five siblings and grew up in Millinocket, Maine, the Magic City. Michael graduated from Stearns High School in 1971. After relocating to Texas in 1978, he eventually settled in the town of Carlos. Yankee Mike, as most people knew him by, had a great love for family, friends, and motorcycles. He loved visiting his Maine family whenever possible and his Dad was his biggest hero. He was a member of the Elks Lodge #1521. Yankee played as hard as he worked and sometimes his alter ego ‘Elmo’ would show up. He loved to ride his Harley Davidson cross country where he had friends all over the U.S. and from all walks of life. He took great pride in his two businesses: The Watering Hole in Snook and the iconic Yankees Tavern and Grill in Carlos, TX. His vision and generosity to his community has impacted hundreds of families. Yankee and The Somerville Lake Loons have donated money raised to many local charities throughout the Brazos Valley for over thirty years. During the holiday season, both his establishments would participate in Toy Runs and Make A Christmas Happen event delivering food, clothing, and household goods to needy families and to ensure all the children had a wonderful Christmas. Yankee sponsored many youth sport and BBQ teams throughout the years and made contributions to school baseball and basketball programs. More importantly, Yankee Mike has left each one of us with amazing stories and memories to cherish until we see him once again.
He was preceded in death by his brother Barry Pulkkinen; his paternal grandparents, Arve and Evelyn Pulkkinen, his maternal grandparents, L. Paul and Arabelle Thorne.
Michael is survived by his wife of 20 years, Tammy Edwards Pulkkinen; his children Cassandra Webber-Beal, of Saco, ME, Shawn Pulkkinen (Aly Sanchez), of Carlos, Chase Pulkkinen, of College Station, Chelsey Marley (Andrew Risner), of Kyle; his grand-daughter, Arabelle Pulkkinen, of Carlos, grandsons, Jacob Beal, Oliver Webber-Hilton, Naseem Webber, and Nigel Webber-Bergeron, of Saco, ME, his parents, Richard and Barbara Pulkkinen, of Millinocket, Maine; sisters Karen (Curtis, Sr) Gaudet of Bloomfield, CT, and Becky (Magoo) Mclaughlin, of Verona Island, ME, brother, Paul (Gwen) Pulkkinen, of Snook, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews , his faithful dog Blue, and his beloved tavern family.
Memorial donations can be made to Brazos Valley Hospice, 502 West 26th Street, Bryan, Texas 77803; or True Blue Animal Rescue, PO Box 1107, Brenham, Texas 77836.
Express condolences at CallawayJones.com
Dear Tammy, Dick, Barbara and extended family,
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved husband, son, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and our dear friend. Mike was one of a kind and made a difference in many people’s life’s. Wherever he went, he made friends and made sure to stay in touch with them throughout his life. We are all heartbroken for our loss but grateful that we knew him. I told Tammy that when I hear the song “You’ve Got a Friend”, I always think of Mike because he was the true meaning of a friend. Mike loved life and lived it to the fullest. He lived more in a year than most people live in a lifetime. He was a hard worker who built an empire for his family and his queen-Tammy. David often said Mike had thousands of friends and each one of them considered him their best friend because he gave a piece of himself to each friend he had. All of us in the Class of 1971 admire and respect the boy Mike was and the man he became. We hope your many wonderful memories of time spent with Michael Elmo “Yank” will bring you comfort in the days to come. We are sending love and prayers to all of you. “Ride with the angels, dearest friend.”
Love, David and Carrie
Hi all:
To say Mike’s death caught us a little off balance would be an understatement. Yankee Mike is one of the special people a person gets to meet in ones lifetime, we love Mike dearly and will miss him. If the phone call we got said Mike had died while on motorcycle road trip it would be easier to handle. Tammy, all our love and prayers to you and your family now and always. All our love and prayers also to brother Paul and all of Mikes family. May God be with you all during these trying times. We sure hope there are motorcycles in Heaven! Have a safe trip Yankee. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE THE LEADER OF THE PACK!
Love; George & Bubba
So sorry for the families loss Yank is loved and missed
Mike was a great man. He will be sorely missed by so many. Praying for you during this difficult time. God bless you.
“Your” room was always ready for you and we hoped you would be here during all Bike events. You’ll remain in our hearts and we’ll think of you with much love forever. From the “Daytona Connection” – David Duff & Carmen Boyd
Deepest condolences to you and all the family. I loved knowing him , had a great time with him ,I will miss him.
So sorry for your loss. Great guy!
So sorry for your loss. Yank was an inspiration to so many. He will be missed by so many. May God keep you all in his loving arms
Sorry for your lose, he was a kind man.
My deepest sympathy for Tammy and family. He will be deeply missed
Wish I could be there with you all. I love you and will be taking some time in CT that day to send you all my thoughts and warmth.
Yankee was a great Man. If you respected Him, He respected you. That’s what I liked about Mike. Many a stories will be told around the Tavern. He touched our lives in too many ways to say. Love His family and prayers are sent to them. We watched the kids grow up to be nice young adults. RIP.
My sincere condolences to Tammy and the family on Mike’s loss. You are in my prayers.
Very sad to hear about yankee mike. He was a great man and he loved his motorcycle family. I will miss seeing him at Yankees but we all know he will always be there walking around talking to all his friends. God bless you yankee you will truly be missed my friend.
Yankee Mike, definitely a one of a kind. My heart goes out to you Tammy and all of your family as well as so many friends. Yankee will forever live In my heart. Much Love and hugs!
Such a beuatiful, full life Mike lived. I am so saddened by his passing. Peave be with yoy m. Love Aunt Johanna
Yankee Mike you will be truly missed by us. May God bless you and keep you under his wings.
Just wanted to offer my condolences to you and your family, on Mike’s passing. Only met him a few times, through Jim Ness, what a great guy.
“We are here for a time to make a life, use our heart, teach others about kindness. Love is the source of hope, faith and dignity. Michael’s life was celebrated every day he lived,, and be celebrated into the new heights of his continued life.”. love you, Michael
So very sorry to lose Yankee Mike. He was loved and respected by so many. And he will be missed by all of us.
So Very sorry for your loss, R.I.P. Mike, definitely will always be in our memories.
Yankee Mike is now free of pain. He was a friend to many and loved by many. Ride on Yank!
Yankee was a great man and friend. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family.
You will be missed Michael. What a treasure you were to all who had the good fortune to have known you.
Prayers and condolences to the entire Pulkkinen family.
Dear Pulkkinen Family. My heartfelt condolences to you all. I’ve only known Mike thru Facebook for a few years now. He requested that I Friend him and I’m so glad I did. Special guy ya got there. Love and prayers for you all. Becky I’ll be sending a card to your Mom….please give her a hug from me. <3
Dick, Barb, Karen, Becky and Paul, Please find some peace in how much Mike was loved. He was a good man.
So sorry he was an icon here all these years. Sympathy and prayers to his family.
Sorry for your loss Gwen. And family. Linda
Sending prayers to the family.and so sorry for your loss he will be missed but not forgotten.
You will be missed my friend and classmate. Ride on, Mike. Condolences to wife and family that I am sorry I have not met. Pain and suffering is over.
My deepest sympathies to the family and many other loved ones of Yankee Mike. May God give them peace, comfort and strength during this sad time. <3
We are so very sorry for your loss and our prayers for comfort for Tammy, Shawn and the entire family are coming your way. Mike was a wonderful man and so very kind and giving, he will be missed by so many in the community, we already miss him so very much.
RIP Mike.
From one Mainer to another, Yank, you WILL be missed! I enjoyed all the talks we had at Sam’s doors. I know you’re on that last fantastic ride that we all get to take one day.
Heartfelt condolences to all of you, his family.
Lt Col STan
Yankee, you will be truly missed by everyone. RIP Sir, you will not be forgotten.
Not many people really live their lives to the fullest. He did and he brought alot of good people along with him for the ride.
Our Deepest condolences for dear Tammy and all the family. He will be missed by many. Mike now you can ride I heaven .
To the family I give my condolences. Yankee is a great man and will not be forgotten. I feel very privileged to have known him. RIP my friend, til we meet again.
Dearest Tammy and family. My heart hurts for all of you and sending my deepest sympathy. He will be so missed and I’ll remember how very nice he always was and the many wonderful things he did for so many people. The last few days I have read all the wonderful comments about Yankee and how he touched so many lives and tugged at so many hearts. I am so proud to have known such a great man. Sending much love and prayers for all of you!
Tammy and Family, I am so sorry to learn of Yankee’s death. He was a friend to all: generous, loving, helpful, caring…everything good. My heart will be with you this coming Saturday. My love to all of you and to Yankee’s Tavern family as well. Martha Knies, Spoons’ Mom
My thoughts are with the Pulkkinen family as I have know all of them forever. My condolences to all.
I am very sorry about the lose of Yankee Mike as most knew him by. His willingness to help others is known throughout the area. I recall the first time he opened Yankee’s Tavern for Cut-N-Shoot, HOG so we could have our Hangover Ride there, which now includes anyone who’s out on the First of the year to drop by for some hot Blackeye Peas and Cornbread. And on those cold days Yankee Mike would have that Potbelly Stove fired up to warm the riders while waiting for the great food served. We will miss you Yankee Mike. God bless.
Yankee will be missed. Prayers for Tammy and the family
Mike and I graduated high school together. He had many friends in Maine and will be missed. I am saddened by his loss and offer my prayers and condolences to his loving family.
We all are sharing your sorrow while rejoicing in the memories of being friends with Yank. He has been a good friend, a great friend, to so many. His legacy will definitely include him being around for others and living life with “just enough baggage”. He will be greatly missed. You are loved by many. My prayers to all of you.
RIP my old friend you will be missed by many .
Mike you made a place for everyone to enjoy , Cowboys, Bikers, and just plain Family. No one else I know could pull that off. A place that truly everyone could enjoy.
God speed, see you soon Brother,
Bare and Flower.
Mike you made a place for everyone to enjoy, Cowboys, Bikers, and just plain Family. No one else could pull that off. A place that truly everyone could enjoy.
GOD SPEED, see you soon, Brother.
Bare and Flower
My deepest sympathy on your loss of Mike. I did not know him well, but my parents are dear friends of Dick and Barbara. (John and Brenda) It sounds like Mike really accomplished many things in his life and gave back to his community, which I am sure makes you all very proud. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda (Hews) Albert
Sorry to hear about mike,he and barry are sharing a beer and ride for sure. Rip brother. Ron in maine.
Yank was a very special person to the Ness Family. They love animals and we love animals. We are donating to True Blue Animal Rescue. Both of you did so much charitable work. Bless all of you! Yankee will have many crowns in heaven!
My heart goes out to all Yankee left behind to learn how to continue on without him. He Will be remembered and missed by so many. He lived a remarkably generous life and made an impression on all of us who knew him. RIP Yankee Mike. Love Connie
R I P My friend
R I P my friend
So sorry for the loss of old Yank- we will all miss him – can’t be there on Saturday but will remember him like he was
We were so sorry to hear, thoughts and prayers for the family. Cletus & Kim
I had the privilege to know him the better part of 40 years….the world is a better place because he was part of it and touched so many lives during his tenure…Rest easy and ride free Yankee….
RIP Yankee Mike !!!! I’m so proud you were a part of our lives ! Stir up Heaven Man !!!! Love Ya !!! Watch over Us !!! Life here will not be the same without you……..Rita Hrynyk
Our family was sorry to hear about Yankee’s death. I did not know him personally, but my parents Delana and William Jackson did. They spoke highly of him and his wife. I have talked to other people that knew him and I can tell that he was well loved and respected. May God be a comfort to his family and friends as they mourn the death of a loved one and celebrate his life.
Dear Tammy, Chase,
Yankee was always authentic; very rare these days. I met Elmo once; what a warrior. All of you are full of generosity. God bless you All.
Yankee Mike is on his last ride ,, gonna miss you my friend
Sometimes we have to just
Lower our heads,
Say a prayer,
And weather the storm.
We send our prayers and love
Mike Pulkkenin was and remains to be,
the kind of man all good men aspire to be.
My heart hurts for all of Yankee’s family and friends! I was at the funeral yesterday and could not stay, it has been almost 9 months since I lost Terry to cancer. It was just too painful too see all the folks we had ridden with and had such a great time. I believe they are now riding in a better place, guess they all needed company! It was a very nice service, enjoyed the pictures.
With and love and sympathy for a wonderful friend!