Michael A. DePaolo, 73

1947 - 2020

NAHANT - Michael A. "Mickey" DePaolo, 73, of Nahant, Ma. passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020. Born on November 24, 1947 to the late John and Florence (Palleschi) DePaolo, Mickey lived a wonderful life and spent most of his days dedicated to making a better life for his family and those around him.

A graduate of the Swampscott High School Class of 1965, Mickey went on to become a dedicated member of the Swampscott Fire Department until an injury he suffered rescuing a windsurfer during a hurricane forced him to retire. An entrepreneur at heart, he helped his beloved brothers open and run several local restaurants during his second act. However, he found his true passion and a second family when he joined the ranks of FEMA. In his 28 years with FEMA, Mickey traveled to 49 of 50 states, along with Puerto Rico and Guam, helping those near and far in times of tragedy. He rose to the rank of Chief of Staff but more importantly had a positive impact on many lives and loved his work to the very last day. In his honor, his family will be visiting Alaska, the one and only state he missed.

Mickey was also a fixture in the local sports community and spent many years helping lead the charge for Nahant Little League and Swampscott Pop Warner along with his time on the sidelines helping coach the Big Blue Football Team. His greatest joy was being the biggest fan of his children and then an even bigger fan of his grandsons. He could talk for hours and would always have a smile when recapping one of their games. An avid college football fan, the Fightin' Irish, Crimson Tide and Colorado Buffaloes were especially near and dear to his heart.

He had a heart of gold and a spirit of generosity. He was always there with a great story and his wonderful sense of humor. He would never hesitate to help his family or friends. In fact, every friend was family to Mickey. A champion of the underdog, he will always be remembered for his kind soul and his gigantic heart.

Mickey is survived by his wife, Susan, with whom he just recently celebrated 50 years of marriage, daughter Amannda, son Mike, daughter-in-law Ashley, grandsons Jake Bartram, Ryan and Logan DePaolo, brothers Chucky, Alan and George DePaolo, sister Ann Harris, his beloved nieces and nephews, cousins and his countless friends. He was pre-deceased by his brother Ronnie.

Service Information: The family will be holding a private memorial with plans to celebrate Mickey's legacy sometime in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to one of Mickey's favorite charities, www.smiletrain.org. For online condolences, visit: www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home and Cremation Service – Buckminster Chapel, 84 Broad St., Portsmouth, NH 03801.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Item on Dec. 1, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael DePaolo

Sponsored by J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel - Portsmouth.

25 Entries

Lois Lerner

November 25, 2022

You are missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing you.

Brendan Davis

January 17, 2021

I just found out about this from my mother. I am so sorry to hear this and give my condolences to Mikey and his family. I grew up in Nahant and was a childhood friend of Mikey. His father, Michael was a real presence in the community and he is one of a handful of people who helped shape my idea of what it is to be a man. He was a supportive and strong person. Was surprised and saddened to hear this news.

Mary Dawson

December 23, 2020

I always enjoyed working with Mickey back in our “Community Relations” days with FEMA. He always made me smile and was a great storyteller! Of course he was my “boss” back in those days, but to Mickey... we were just a couple of coworkers doing our best to serve those in need. What a super human being! My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the entire family for their great loss.

Bobby Hopkins

December 8, 2020

So sad to hear about Mickey’s passing. He was an inspiration to me as a youth in high school, and I will never forget his kindness, generosity, humor, and outstanding character. He encouraged me to be the best, as a football player, teammate, and person. RIP #77

James Kraft

December 7, 2020

My condolences to Susan, Amanda, Mike and your entire family....Mickey or Coach as I always referred to him was a tremendous person....I always enjoyed our conversations when I was younger...he always had a smile and a hearty laugh...influential in the lives of many he will be missed

Marilyn Gottfried Ogg

December 4, 2020

Susan.... so sorry to hear about your loss.. I remember the smile on his face.... brought joy to a lot of us.....he was one of the good guys of ‘65

Marilyn Gottfried Ogg

Lois (Gordon) Lerner

December 3, 2020

Susan. sending love to you. We are all so sorry to hear of your loss. I will always remember Micky's smile and wonderful sense of humor. Sending love to your family, Lois (Gordon) Lerner

Lori Harris

December 2, 2020

It was absolutely an amazing and beautifully written piece for an absolute wonderful man/uncle he was always there for me and my children growing up and the loss will be felt forever! My heart goes out to my Aunt Susan and my cousins Amanda and Mike and their families

Brian Corcoran

December 2, 2020

Susan, I’m so sorry for your loss. Mickey was a good guy, high praise in New England-speak. His obituary tells the story of a life well lived. My thoughts are with you and your family. May sweet memories of him sustain you all.

Big Blue Football Banquet

Amannda DePaolo

December 2, 2020

Papas Birthday

Amannda DePaolo

December 2, 2020

Jakes 1st Communion

Amannda DePaolo

December 2, 2020

Papa & His Boys

Amannda DePaolo

December 2, 2020

Amannda DePaolo

December 2, 2020

Words will never be enough to express the profound loss and sadness I feel right now. My father was the kindest and most generous person I have ever met. He was full of love, laughter and light. My heart will be forever broken, but I will do my best to live up to the legacy of kindness and generosity to others that he leaves behind. Please know how much my family and I appreciate all the wonderful memories and heartfelt condolences that are being shared with us at this gut-wrenching time. If we could all show even just a small measure of the kindness, generosity and forgiveness my father embodied, this world would much be a much better place. May God Bless You All ❤ -Amannda

David Lyons

December 1, 2020

Susan, my thought and prayers are with you and your family. I loved Mickey. He was larger than life itself and was a power of example of how one can make a positive impact in the world through love and service to others. I know we will miss him, but we also know his Spirit lives on and we will surely see him again - as long as our hearts stay open to this wondrous mystery of life.

God bless and may you find peace,

Judy Yahoodik

December 1, 2020

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Susan, and you family. Such sad news. Like everyone at SHS, I will always remember Micky with a smile on his face, making everyone happy.

Judi Nicholson

December 1, 2020

I’m so sorry for your loss Susan. What wonderful memories your family must have after 50 years of marriage to this good man. Thinking of you at this sad time.
Fondly,
Judi Babin Nicholson

Wendy Myler

December 1, 2020

Susan,
My deepest and most sincere condolences for your terrible loss. You and Mickey are such a huge part of the precious memories I cherish of our high school years and friendships. You must be tremendously proud of the man and father and husband he was. I wish you comfort in the joys that you two shared over all these years.
With love,
Wendy Stevens Myler

Donna Massey

December 1, 2020

So sorry to hear about Mickey’s passing, Susan. The wonderful obituary says so much about who he was. I hope you and your loved ones are comforted by one another and your memories of him. Ironically I am heading to Alaska today so I’ll take thoughts of him with me and we’ll talk soon about connecting there when you and your family visit. Love to you...

Patty Stahl

November 30, 2020

Susan,
I am so sorry to hear about Mickey. Looking at this picture (I still have the same one in my high school scrapbook) and thinking of him bring a smile to my face. He was one of the good ones.

Rex Jenson

November 30, 2020

Boundless energy, smart, dedicated and great to work with/teach with during our Federal Emergency Management Agency days.

Rhonda Tarmy

November 30, 2020

Sending prayers and condolences. It seems like yesterday when we were in school together.

Peter COHEN

November 30, 2020

So sad. Can't remember a day when Mickey didn't have a smile on his face. He was a great teammate as I'm sure he was to friends and family after high school. My condolences to Susan and the family. Great guy.

SHS Class of '65

Phil Gapinski

November 30, 2020

"I'll always remember him flying through the air to make a tackle during the 1964 Swampscott-Marblehead Thanksgiving. Now he's flying with the angels!"- Phil Gapinski.

Our class sends condolences to Susan [Condon] DePaulo and Mickey's surviving family members.

kim and nick

November 30, 2020

Thanks for being a great Uncle, Nick always looked forward to your phone calls, Say hi to the big guy and hopefully you can get nudge Nick to drive soon!

Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results