Michael N. Scelsi

MANCHESTER -- Michael N. Scelsi, a colonel in the USMC (retired), graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in government in 1941. During World War II, he joined the Marine Corps and fought in the Pacific. After the war, from 1946 to 1948, he worked with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and its successor agency, the International Refugee Organization, in Munich, Germany. It was there that he met his wife Nina. Upon his return to the States he became very active in the civic affairs of his native Broome County in upstate New York, where from 1955-1959, he was assistant to the president, of what is now SUNY Binghampton. One June 5, of this year he was inducted into the State University’s Hall of Fame for his significant contributions and professional commitment.

From 1959-1965, he served as the executive director of the New York Republican State Committee, and afterwards as Gov. Nelson Rockefeller’s appointment director. Finally, he was appointed by Gov. Rockefeller as New York’s commissioner of civil service. He also served as the United States representative to UNICEF, and executive director of the Tolstoy Foundation in Rome, Italy. Finally, after moving to Manchester, he happily gave his time and attention to various community efforts and to the Zion Episcopal Church, which he loved.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Nina; his son, Michael; daughter, Ariadne; and his granddaughter Alexandra. He is also survived by four brothers, Joel, Gabriel, Peter, and James. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday morning, Sept. 27, at 11 a.m. at Zion Episcopal Church, Main Street, in Manchester, with the Rev. John Mitchell, officiating. Entombment will take place privately, and there will not be any calling hours. Memorials in his honor may be made to the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, in care of the Brewster Funeral Service, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT 05255.