Obituary for Michael Piscatelli
With great sadness, love, and admiration, Michael Louis Piscatelli of Westerly, Rhode Island passed away peacefully on February 2, 2021 after a brave and courageous battle with cancer. He had battled serious medical conditions throughout his life and would tell you “He led with the left” like a strong fighter. Surrounded in love by his family at home, he never stopped fighting and stayed strong till the very end.
Born to parents Michael and Rose Vagnone Piscatelli, at 187th / Arthur Avenue neighborhood of the Bronx, New York, Michael attended PS 74, 34 and Theodore Roosevelt High School. The Bronx flowed through his veins and stories from the old neighborhood were always at the ready. In1952, he joined the United States Airforce. Michael was a proud Italian-American who served his country in a time of war and raised 5 children.
Michael had “great athletic ability” as he would tell his grandchildren “I could have been a contender”. He played basketball and baseball for the Mt. Carmel Cavaliers in the Bronx. You could almost always find him watching a New York Yankees or Giants game as he was a passionate fan. Michael spent many years working as a counselor for the New York State Division for youth in the Bronx, NY advocating and supporting the cause for a better life.
Mike worked a variety of jobs over his lifetime, most notably he loved his job as a New York City bus driver and had a distinguished career in furniture retail for the top Federated Stores in Manhattan. At age 67 when most people retire, Mike continued to work as a full- time consultant for Sealey / Sterns and Foster Mattress Company until he was 72.
Michael, and his family were 30- year residents of Pleasantville, New York, before retiring to Westerly, Rhode Island. From being a Dad’s Club coach, to the guy who always had your back and always looked out for the underdog, Michael was most content cooking his famous Italian dishes for his family and friends, singing to Ol’ blue eyes, Frank Sinatra or hitting baseballs with his grandkids at the batting cages.
Michael was a devoted partner, father, brother and friend. We were very blessed to have him in our lives. The past few months he fought like a Lion – he will be greatly missed.
Michael is survived by his beloved Barbara whom he adored, his cherished daughters, JoAnn (Robert) Dagrosa, Jill (Geoffrey) Smith; his much-loved sons Michael (Kerri) Swenson, Mark (Kara) Swenson, Matthew (Laura) Swenson; and his nine beautiful grandchildren, Caroline, Peter, Henry, Cooper, Margaret, Calvin, Owen and Ryder. His siblings, Rosemary Basili, Florence Masiangelo and Anthony (Geraldine) Piscatelli.
Some of Michael’s favorite phrases that will keep us all smiling; “Going Hollywood”, “Big-time”, “It’s Copacetic”, “Piece of Cake”, “Ace in the hole”, and “love ya kid”.
Services and a Memorial will be delayed until the Covid Virus subsides. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is in care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, family would like you to consider memorial donations to:
Dads Club of Pleasantville Inc., 80-Wheeler Ave., Pleasantville, NY 10570 or
Beacon Hospice Care, 1130 Ten Rod Road, Suite C 104, North Kingstown, RI 02852.
Born to parents Michael and Rose Vagnone Piscatelli, at 187th / Arthur Avenue neighborhood of the Bronx, New York, Michael attended PS 74, 34 and Theodore Roosevelt High School. The Bronx flowed through his veins and stories from the old neighborhood were always at the ready. In1952, he joined the United States Airforce. Michael was a proud Italian-American who served his country in a time of war and raised 5 children.
Michael had “great athletic ability” as he would tell his grandchildren “I could have been a contender”. He played basketball and baseball for the Mt. Carmel Cavaliers in the Bronx. You could almost always find him watching a New York Yankees or Giants game as he was a passionate fan. Michael spent many years working as a counselor for the New York State Division for youth in the Bronx, NY advocating and supporting the cause for a better life.
Mike worked a variety of jobs over his lifetime, most notably he loved his job as a New York City bus driver and had a distinguished career in furniture retail for the top Federated Stores in Manhattan. At age 67 when most people retire, Mike continued to work as a full- time consultant for Sealey / Sterns and Foster Mattress Company until he was 72.
Michael, and his family were 30- year residents of Pleasantville, New York, before retiring to Westerly, Rhode Island. From being a Dad’s Club coach, to the guy who always had your back and always looked out for the underdog, Michael was most content cooking his famous Italian dishes for his family and friends, singing to Ol’ blue eyes, Frank Sinatra or hitting baseballs with his grandkids at the batting cages.
Michael was a devoted partner, father, brother and friend. We were very blessed to have him in our lives. The past few months he fought like a Lion – he will be greatly missed.
Michael is survived by his beloved Barbara whom he adored, his cherished daughters, JoAnn (Robert) Dagrosa, Jill (Geoffrey) Smith; his much-loved sons Michael (Kerri) Swenson, Mark (Kara) Swenson, Matthew (Laura) Swenson; and his nine beautiful grandchildren, Caroline, Peter, Henry, Cooper, Margaret, Calvin, Owen and Ryder. His siblings, Rosemary Basili, Florence Masiangelo and Anthony (Geraldine) Piscatelli.
Some of Michael’s favorite phrases that will keep us all smiling; “Going Hollywood”, “Big-time”, “It’s Copacetic”, “Piece of Cake”, “Ace in the hole”, and “love ya kid”.
Services and a Memorial will be delayed until the Covid Virus subsides. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is in care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, family would like you to consider memorial donations to:
Dads Club of Pleasantville Inc., 80-Wheeler Ave., Pleasantville, NY 10570 or
Beacon Hospice Care, 1130 Ten Rod Road, Suite C 104, North Kingstown, RI 02852.