Dec. 23, 1945-May 31, 2018
Nick Elakovich passed away May 31, 2018 at the Crest Nursing Home after a long and courageous fight with prostate cancer.
Nick was born Dec. 23, 1945 in Anaconda, Montana to Stephen (Sapp) and Alice Elakovich. As a child, Nick was reared in Rocker, Montana where his parents owned and operated "Sapp's Bluebird Bar". He attended Rocker Grade School and graduated from Butte High School in 1964. He attended the School of Mines and Montana State University for a short time, wanting to return to Rocker to operate the family business. Nick's career 'behind the plank" started March 5, 1965 and continued for 53 years until his passing. The bar remained open all those years as Nick's Bluebird with the exception of the time Nick served in the Army where he earned an honorable discharge.
Nick was an old school bar owner who ran the Bluebird his way, refusing to sit behind the bar when working even if he didn't feel well. When behind the bar, he could recite a toast for any event, rarely repeating himself. Nick had the amazing ability to conjure up a tribute for every occasion and at times would abide himself finishing with a "gargle" of Black Velvet. Many folks were inspired to repeat this impressive feat and immediately regretted that decision, much to Nick's amusement. Nick had an expansive repertoire of bartending magic tricks that never failed to bewilder, amuse and madden his audience when they couldn't figure out the clever sleights of hand that invariably employed bar napkins, towels, loose change or a whiskey glass.
Nick loved Rocker, his bar, all of his pets, throwing his annual birthday extravaganza at the Bluebird, dressing up at Halloween and handing out candy to kids at the Bluebird, riding his Harley, bowling, playing pool (which he referred to as his "road game"), traveling and camping, entertaining his customers, and spending time with his friends and family. Nick simply could not tolerate bills not "faced" the correct way in his till, using a can of diet soda to mix just one drink, pizza, the cooler door being left open longer than needed to stock beer, any food condiment with the exception of butter and onions, Fox News or Republicans, Bees or Hornets, the use of the Ten Dollar bill as change, and anytime someone mixed expensive whiskey with cola (in exactly that order).
The following poem written by Matt Buckley summarizes Nick and the Bluebird.
There's an old barkeep I like to go see
When I'm down on my wisdom or need philosophy
He's rough-n-gruff, runs a working man's bar
Treats all folks the same no matter who they are
Elakovich the proprietor, Nick is the first name
Nigh on fifty-three years he's been at the bar game
Runs as fair a place as any on earth
All folks equal, no matter rite of birth
The old Serb can get ornery, he'll make it quite clear
How special you are, he wasn't willing to hear
He's a man of principle, wasn't ruled by the dollar
He's tossed' em all — blue or white collar
The place isn't fancy — understatement of the year
A blue-collar spot — a shot and a beer
The crowd is colorful, the crowd is diverse
We come to laugh and we come to curse
There's bikers, cowboys, construction workers
Pay your way, Nick wasn't fond of shirkers
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We got lawyers, laborers, and some fine ladies
Regular folks and some shady
The place isn't cliquey, always new faces
Folks travel to Nick's Bluebird from many different places
Perhaps by Nick's charm they were moved
Others curious to see if his demeanor has improved
On out to Rocker many take the short drive
To hear philosophy on how to get along and survive
The game's always on, cold is the beer
May Nick rest in peace after running the Bluebird for fifty-three years
Nick will be fondly remembered and missed by the many friends and customers he made through the years. Nick was preceded in death by his parents, and it is our fondest hope that they are having a grand reunion. He is survived by his wife, Denise; his daughter, Cynthia; and his grandchildren, Kelsey Sue, Taylor, Ellie Kate and Carson.
Please join us June 9th at the Rocker Fire Hall from noon to 4 p.m. to remember a man with a great sense of humor and share some smiles and stories.
Axelson Alternative Cremation is privileged to serve Nick’s family.